JUNE 8, 2026
Christian Eriksen collapses again during Denmark match, expected to leave hospital soon
Christian Eriksen, 34, collapsed on the field during Denmark's international friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, clutching his chest in the 65th minute. The midfielder, who has had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted since a cardiac arrest at Euro 2021, received medical attention before walking off the field under his own power. Denmark team physician Morten Boesen said Monday that Eriksen is "doing well," in "good spirits" with his family, and is expected to be discharged from Odense University Hospital soon.
Eriksen was on the field in an off-the-ball action when he clutched his chest with both hands in the 65th minute of Sunday's friendly, then dropped to the ground. The Danish soccer federation said he walked off the field by himself after receiving on-field medical attention, before being taken to Odense University Hospital for further tests.
Team physician Morten Boesen provided an update Monday morning, stating he had spoken with Eriksen and that the player was with family and "in good spirits." Boesen added that "the expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home," and that the federation is "taking good care of the players and staff and remain in regular contact with them."
Boesen said of the incident that "as I see it, the pacemaker responded as it should," though no further detail was provided by team officials about what precisely triggered Eriksen's episode. The game was abandoned after the referee conferred with staff and players from both teams.