Kane reaches out to Eriksen after 'scary' ICD activation ends Denmark friendly

Christian Eriksen is recovering at home after collapsing in the 65th minute of Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine at Nature Energy Park in Odense on Sunday, with his implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) activating to stabilise him before he walked off the pitch under his own power.

The 34-year-old midfielder was briefly unconscious after hitting the ground, triggering immediate concern given his cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 in 2021. He was taken to hospital, discharged on Monday, and has since issued a statement confirming he is “doing well” and resting with his family.

“I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family,” Eriksen wrote on Instagram. “As you can probably imagine, receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major impact on both me and my family, but I want to reassure everyone that this was a different situation from what happened in 2021. I am feeling good, and my recovery has already started.”

Harry Kane, who played alongside Eriksen at Tottenham for seven years, admitted the news shook him when it first broke. The England captain said he had already reached out to his former team-mate, though had not yet received a reply.

“I just reached out to him today,” Kane told ITV. “I’ve not heard anything back from Chris yet, but obviously he put out a statement saying he was going to go away, rest up and spend some time with the family now, which I think is important.”

Kane acknowledged the moment brought back difficult memories for everyone who witnessed Eriksen’s original collapse four years ago. “It was a scary moment when we came in and saw the news, to be honest with you,” he said. “The main thing is that the defibrillator was there and it worked. I’m a little bit calmer now I know he’s okay and everything seemed to work in the way it was supposed to. I’m just wishing him well and I’m sure I’ll catch up with him soon.”

Eriksen was making his 151st appearance for Denmark when the incident occurred. Questions over his playing future are now likely to follow, with suggestions he may consider retirement after experiencing a second serious on-pitch medical event. Kane noted that Eriksen would have significant decisions to make in the coming months, but stressed the immediate priority was his health and time with his family, including his wife Sabrina.