The doctor who helped bring Christian Eriksen back to life after he suffered a cardiac arrest in a Euro 2020 match last week has revealed what the Danish star said in the moments after he regained consciousness.
The Inter Milan and former Tottenham midfielder collapsed during the first half of the group game in Copenhagen and required 13 minutes of CPR before he was taken to hospital in a stable condition, where he remains.
German doctor Jens Kleinefeld was one of the first people immediately on the scene at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen and helped deliver an electric shock that restarted the 29-year-old’s heart.
He’s now revealed what Eriksen said in the moments after he regained consciousness during those terrifying scenes in the Danish capital.
Kleinefeld told Fox Sports: ‘About 30 seconds later, the player opened his eyes and I could talk to him directly.
‘That was a very moving moment, because in such medical emergencies in everyday life, the chances of success are much lower.’
Kleinefeld revealed he then asked Eriksen, ‘Well, are you back with us?’ and Eriksen replied: ‘Yes, I am back with you. For f***s sake, I’m only 29 years old.’
Christian Eriksen’s first words after his cardiac arrest have been revealed by the doctor who treated him on the pitch
The Danish star suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 game with Finland
German doctor Jens Kleinefeld was one of the first people immediately on the scene at the Parken Stadium
Romelu Lukaku said on Wednesday that Belgium will kick the ball into touch in the 10th minute of their game against Denmark on Thursday – allowing them to applaud Eriksen as he continues to recover.
It will be only the second time Denmark have taken to the field since the incident and Lukaku said it was important to Belgium – with many of the squad having played with the 29-year-old in the past.
‘After 10 minutes of the match we will put the ball in touch to applaud,’ Lukaku said.
‘Several players from our country have played with him but we will be there to win and that is the most important.’
Eriksen posted the first picture of himself in hospital since suffering a cardiac arrest on Tuesday.
In the caption, the 29-year old said: ‘Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family.
‘I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
‘Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian’.
On Monday, Eriksen thanked fans for their support and concern, and vowed to get to the bottom of why he experienced such a sudden and serious health emergency in a short statement released to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport via his agent.
Eriksen’s statement read: ‘Thank you, I won’t give up. I feel better now – but I want to understand what’s happened.
‘I want to say thank you all for what you did for me.’
Eriksen gave fans a thumbs up on Instagram this week from hospital after his cardiac arrest
Eriksen said: ‘I’m fine – under the circumstances and still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay’
On Wednesday, players and coaches from every competing nation at Euro 2020 sent their best wishes to Eriksen in a touching video message.
England’s Kieran Trippier, Wales’s Gareth Bale and Scotland’s Andrew Robertson are three of the players who feature as well as Spain coach Luis Enrique and Holland manager Frank de Boer.
The UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin opens the messages and the video finishes with Anthony Taylor, the referee in charge of the Denmark vs Finland match, wishing Eriksen well.
In between are kind words from a representative from each of the 23 participating countries other than Denmark, either in English or their native language. In some, the entire squad of players is present.
Trippier, a former team-mate of Eriksen’s at Tottenham Hotspur, said: ‘I just want to say that I’m thinking of you. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery, we’re all behind you.
‘We send best wishes to your kids, your wife and the whole family. Take care mate!’
Bale, who left Spurs just as Eriksen joined the club in 2013, said: ‘I just wanted to say on behalf of everyone here with the Wales football team, we’re glad to see you getting better, we wish you a speedy recovery and all the best for the future.’
Wales star Gareth Bale was among the players and coaches from every Euro 2020 wishing Eriksen a speedy recovery in a video published by the Danish FA
Eriksen’s former Tottenham team-mate Kieran Trippier, of England, also featured in the video
In his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Thomas Delaney said Denmark have been strengthened in the wake of Eriksen’s collapse.
As they prepare for Thursday’s fixture against Belgium at the same venue still processing what happened at the weekend, midfielder Delaney said: ‘It’s hard. It’s a situation none of us have ever imagined could happen, and that’s how it felt on the pitch. It felt surreal.
‘It was a really good setting for all of us to be together to talk about it together. I’ve experienced a lot in this squad for the past few days.
‘Everyone had the opportunity to be honest about their feelings and it’s been a good thing.
‘It’s nice that we all know each other and everyone can just be themselves. It’s a terrible situation, but thankfully it’s a nice place to be right now.’
Thomas Delaney said Denmark have been strengthened in the wake of Eriksen’s collapse
Skipper Simon Kjaer was quick to realise Eriksen was in trouble and to summon medical help, and he and the remaining members of the team formed a protective shield around the stricken former Tottenham star as he was treated.
Many were visibly moved, while others prayed with team doctor Morten Boesen, who later revealed he ‘was gone’.
Delaney said: ‘Some things need to be done very, very fast and Simon Kjaer arrived very fast and we called for help.
‘Unfortunately, I’ve done this before. We decided to make this shield to protect him. It was not only to protect Christian and the medical staff, but also Christian’s friends and family.
‘It was not a fun situation to be in, but it was a way we could help Christian.’