Terrifying moment Christian Eriksen clutches at his chest just before his collapse: Cardiologist warns Denmark star it could happen again after defibrillator ‘undoubtedly saved his life’ five years on from cardiac arrest

Christian Eriksen has been warned he faces more heart-stopping moments if he continues his football career, and teams have been warned they may no longer want him playing for their jersey after the paceman ‘saved his life’ in another mid-match collapse.

The 34-year-old player suffered a heart attack in the friendly match against Ukraine yesterday, following a similar incident five years later in the Euro 2020 match. The former Manchester United, Tottenham and Brentford midfielder clutched his chest and fell to the ground away from the ball in a horrific repercussion of the incident in the second half.

A new statement was made to Denmark this morning national newspaper ITDenmark’s team doctor said Eriksen was ‘fine’ and could be discharged ‘quickly’.

‘I spoke to Christian this morning, he’s fine. Morten Boesen is with his family and in good spirits, he said.

‘The expectation is that he will be discharged and return home as soon as possible. ‘We look after the players and staff well and are in constant contact with them.’

Denmark’s record appearance maker He had recovered enough to want to leave the field himself and go directly to his family. He was taken to Odense University Hospital by ambulance with his wife Sabrina Kvist Jensen, who had two children with him.

Cardiologist Henning Molgaard today warned that Eriksen could suffer similar health problems in the future but said the defibrillator the midfielder had fitted after a previous heart attack in 2021 had saved his life.

The Denmark international was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and said at the time that he was ‘not afraid in the slightest’ of fainting again.

He added: ‘Worst-case scenario, if it happens again, this thing will help me right away.’

TV footage shows former Manchester United star grabbing his chest before collapsing

Molgaard told IT: ‘His pacemaker. He undoubtedly did his job and saved her life.

‘It could definitely happen again. We can see this in many ordinary people who have a small, hidden heart condition, have another heart attack, and then have a pacemaker activated. So whatever is behind the Christian Eriksen case, the same thing could happen again.

‘When you get a shock from a pacemaker, it feels like you’re being kicked by a horse. So you may scream “off” and often you also have some “oxygen debt” to make up for before regaining consciousness. But it’s a good sign that he went to the ambulance himself.

‘The amazing thing isn’t that it happened. It happens to many people. ‘The amazing thing is that this happens on a football field.’

However, Molgaard warns that teams are now unlikely to want Eriksen to play for them. ‘The vast majority of professional clubs will not risk him falling again. “Most of them will probably say, ‘I think you need to find something else,'” he said.

Danish national team doctor Morten Boesen, who is said to have saved Eriksen’s life in 2021, gave new information about the moments immediately following this new collapse.

‘He wanted to go and say hello to his family. And the ambulance was around the corner. “So he was allowed to do that,” Boesen said. ‘Fully monitored.’

Television footage shows Eriksen falling to the ground away from the ball, clutching his chest, midway through the second half of Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine.

Medical teams rushed to the aid of the man, who was clearly protected.

Asked if he was afraid of collapsing again in 2022, Eriksen replied: ‘Not at all, not in the slightest.

‘I was cautious at first. How much could my heart take anymore? I wanted to test it. But I was cleared, monitored and tested as much as possible. ‘I’m not afraid of this happening again.’

Eriksen has one year left on his two-year contract with German club Wolfsburg, which was relegated from the Bundesliga last month.

In the statement made by the Danish Football Federation after the incident, the following statements were made: ‘Christian Eriksen is conscious and in good condition under the circumstances. ‘The match has been cancelled.’

The big screen inside the stadium in Odense shared a similar message: ‘Match over. Under the circumstances, Christian Eriksen is in good shape.’

The fans also started chanting and applauding the name of the midfielder who was receiving treatment.

Former Denmark star Nicklas Bendtner was watching the match as a commentator on Danish television and couldn’t hold back his tears as he thought about what to say when the incident happened.

‘These are horrific pictures and they completely overshadow the rest of the evening,’ he said.

Eriksen, who was photographed with his wife Sabrina Kvist Jensen, wanted to go directly to his family afterwards.

‘My thoughts are with the family and children and it is a difficult situation to be in at the moment.

‘This is the second time this has happened and also as Christian’s friend… this is truly awful.’

Many of Eriksen’s Denmark team-mates were understandably distressed and broke down in tears on the pitch.

Players from both teams then surrounded the midfielder with a curtain of secrecy as they escorted him to a waiting ambulance in powerful scenes.

Afterwards, they came together, walked around the stadium and thanked those who attended.

Many people and clubs sent their best wishes to Eriksen, including his current club Wolfsburg, who said: ‘We are thinking of you, Christian.

‘Today’s international match between Denmark and Ukraine had to be canceled following Christian Eriksen’s collapse.

Eriksen leaves with his Denmark teammates before the match against Ukraine in Odense yesterday

Several of the midfielder’s Denmark team-mates appeared distressed after his shocking collapse

‘According to the Danish Football Association, Christian is conscious and in good condition considering the circumstances.

‘He was taken to Odense University Hospital where further tests were carried out.

‘We are in close contact with the Danish Football Federation and follow the developments. Best wishes and a speedy recovery, Christian.’

Meanwhile, Manchester United said: ‘Everyone at Manchester United is encouraged by the Denmark’s update on Christian Eriksen following today’s abandoned friendly against Ukraine.

‘The club sends strength and love to Christian and the Eriksen family as we await further news.’

Tottenham, one of Eriksen’s former clubs, added: ‘Our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.

‘I wish you a full and speedy recovery, Christian. ‘We are all with you.’

Ashley Young, who played with Eriksen at Inter Milan, also shared a message and said: ‘I hope you are well brother @ChrisEriksen8, I am sending my prayers and best wishes to you and your family.’