Christian Eriksen was playing for Denmark against Ukraine in a summer friendly when he suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed to the turf. For the second time in five years, the 34-year-old had suffered a medical emergency on the pitch — but this time, a small device implanted in his chest may have saved his life.
The incident happened in the 64th minute of a match in Odense, Denmark. Players from both sides immediately formed a ring around Eriksen as medics rushed on. He was briefly unconscious but regained consciousness quickly, according to Denmark's national team doctor Morten Boesen. The match was abandoned, and Eriksen walked off the pitch before being taken to hospital for further tests. The Danish Football Association said he was "conscious and doing well under the circumstances."
“Christian Eriksen's latest collapse explained, focusing on ICDs and cardiac safety in football.”
Eriksen had been fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match against Finland in June 2021. An ICD is a type of pacemaker — a small device placed under the skin that continuously monitors the heart's rhythm. If it detects a dangerous arrhythmia or cardiac arrest, it delivers an electric shock to restore a normal heartbeat. Boesen said after Sunday's collapse: "As I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should."
The device allowed Eriksen to resume his top-level playing career. He joined Brentford in early 2022, then moved to Manchester United and later Wolfsburg in Germany. He was making his 151st international appearance for Denmark when he collapsed. His captain, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, said: "We turned around and saw Christian on his way to the floor, and we know what that means. Everyone reacted super-fast."
For UK readers, Eriksen's story is a powerful reminder of the advances in cardiac care and the importance of emergency preparedness in sport. After his 2021 collapse, the Premier League introduced mandatory cardiac screening for all players. Defibrillators are now a standard presence at football grounds across the UK. The fact that Eriksen could continue playing at the highest level — and walk off the pitch after his device fired — shows how effective these technologies can be when combined with prompt medical response.
Q: What is an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)? An ICD is a small, battery-powered device placed under the skin, usually near the collarbone. It monitors the heart's rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to restore normal rhythm if a life-threatening arrhythmia or cardiac arrest occurs. It is often described as a "pacemaker with a shock function."
Q: How common are cardiac arrests in football? Sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes is rare but not unheard of. High-profile cases include Fabrice Muamba (2012) and Christian Eriksen (2021). According to experts, the incidence is around 1 in 100,000 athletes per year, though data varies. Prompt use of a defibrillator and CPR dramatically increases survival chances.
Q: Can a player with an ICD continue playing professional football? Yes, with medical clearance. Eriksen is the most famous example. After his ICD was implanted, he returned to play for Brentford, Manchester United, and the Danish national team. The device must be regularly checked, and the player must take precautions against contact sports impacts. FIFA and the Premier League have guidelines for players with ICDs.
What happens next: Eriksen will undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident, according to Dr Boesen. The Danish FA and his club, Wolfsburg, will work with cardiologists to assess his condition. For now, the midfielder is reported to be in good spirits and has already sent a message to his teammates that he is okay.