Danish international Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field again, almost exactly five years after his dramatic collapse at the Euros. The incident occurred during a friendly match against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, in the 65th minute. The 34-year-old, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg, received medical attention and was later able to walk to an ambulance unaided.
«Christian is doing well under the circumstances,» the stadium announcer stated at the time. Shortly after, the Danish Football Association released a statement from the team doctor. «Christian is well and walked off the pitch on his own. From what I can see, the pacemaker is working as it should,» said Morten Boesen. «He was out for a moment, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we had contact with him.»
VfL Wolfsburg, with whom Eriksen was relegated at the end of the past season, also reacted in the evening. «We are thinking of you, Christian,» the club wrote. «We are in close contact with the Danish Football Association and are following further developments.» Eriksen is undergoing thorough examinations at the University Hospital of Odense.
Memories of Eriksen’s collapse on June 12, 2021, were vivid. He had suffered a cardiac arrest during a Euro group stage match against Finland in Copenhagen and was resuscitated. «I was dead for five minutes,» Eriksen later said in an interview. He was fitted with a defibrillator at the time, and doctors gave the record international player the medical all-clear to continue his professional career.
For legal (and sporting) reasons, this was not permitted in Italy, where he was under contract with Inter Milan. Eriksen, who continued to play for the national team, eventually moved to Wolfsburg via FC Brentford and Manchester United in September 2025. He had signed a contract there until 2027, but Wolfsburg was relegated at the end of the past season.
On Sunday, TV images showed Eriksen clutching his chest with both hands before collapsing onto the grass. Medical personnel immediately rushed onto the field. The players formed a protective screen during the captain’s treatment. After Eriksen was no longer on the field, Danes and Ukrainians formed a circle arm in arm. The match was abandoned.
Sunday’s match was a friendly of little significance, as Denmark had not qualified for the World Cup. TV images showed Eriksen clutching his chest with both hands before collapsing onto the grass. Medical personnel immediately rushed onto the field. The players formed a protective screen during the captain’s treatment. After Eriksen was no longer on the field, Danes and Ukrainians formed a circle arm in arm. The match was abandoned.
Eriksen will continue to be examined in the hospital, said team doctor Boesen, «to find out what caused the incident. We are in constant contact with him and the doctors at the hospital. But Christian is doing well, and he asked me to greet all the players and tell them he’s okay.»