Christian Eriksen Thought Career Was Over After Cardiac Arrest at Euro 2020

Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen said Friday he feared his playing career was over after he suffered a cardiac arrest in June while playing for the Denmark national team in the Euro 2020 tournament.

Eriksen, who signed with the Bees in January, described the conversations he held in the aftermath of his scary collapse on the pitch (via ESPN).

"Being in the ambulance, I even told the medical people: 'Keep my boots, I won't need them,'" he said. "I said the same to Sabrina, my fiancee, a few days later. And then I also told her it might change, if everything goes well. It changed quickly but it was a long process to be where I am today, to get the full green light and really be convinced that I am able to play again."

Eriksen was playing for the Danish side in a June 12 match against Finland in Copenhagen when the cardiac arrest occurred in the 43rd minute.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who was a member of Italian club Inter Milan at the time, was hospitalized for a week for treatment, including surgery for the insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), before being discharged.

"I felt from the beginning of this that I need to prove that you can play with an ICD, if something that bad has happened," Eriksen said Friday. "You can return to normal life afterwards. That is more motivation for me, to show I am capable of that."

Professional athletes in Italy aren't allowed to play with an ICD, so Inter released him in December as he eyed a comeback, per ESPN.

Eriksen expressed confidence Friday his career can move forward unaffected by the device.

"My ICD is here for my protection," he said. "It is in because, if anything would happen to me, there is no need for a defibrillator because I will have my own. It is really just extra security. I am more protected here than you guys."

He's set to take part in a training match Monday as part of his return-to-play fitness assessment, per ESPN.

Eriksen, who's also played for Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur since starting his pro career in 2010, scored three goals in 26 Serie A appearances for Inter during the 2020-21 season.

A potential Brentford debut date hasn't been announced. The Bees have 14 fixtures remaining in the Premier League campaign.