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World Cup: a year after his heart attack, Christian Eriksen has realized his dream

2022-11-21T10:49:36.971Z


A year after almost losing his life during the Euro, the Dane is enjoying his presence in Qatar, and the fact of being able to challenge Tunisia this Tuesday (2:00 p.m.).


After the heart attack that almost cost him his life at Euro 2021, playing the World Cup a year later was Christian Eriksen's goal "

from day

one ".

Tuesday, against Tunisia (2:00 p.m.), Denmark and him are now dreaming "

of something big

".

To discover

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  • Full World Cup match schedule

The images of the inanimate player on the lawn of the Copenhagen stadium where he had collapsed, mid-June 2021, during the Danes' first match against Finland, before being surrounded by his teammates to protect him from the inappropriate curiosity of the cameras, had marked the world.

At that time, the football and all the honors it can bring had given way to the personal fate of a man whose life was at stake. This accident "

made me appreciate even more the fact of to be alive and to be with my family.

I think everything else has been put aside

, ”acknowledged the player on Saturday, three days before his entry into the running in Qatar.

My first goal has always been to be a good husband, finally a good spouse, and a good father

,” he continued.

Terminated contract with Inter Milan

But, at 29 at the time, a few good years of career could still be ahead of him, and very quickly, once the enormous scare passed, he planned a comeback that many considered difficult, if not improbable.

After the installation of a defibrillator, which forced him to terminate his contract with Inter Milan, due to Italian regulations for this type of device, he took the road to Amsterdam.

"

I think one of the first conversations I had with the doctors in Amsterdam (...) was about my goal of playing in the World Cup if everything went well.

It was my dream at the time

,” he recalled.

A dream come true: “

I played again in March (2022) and I was able to play a certain number of matches.

I don't

really wasn't expecting it.

It's just awesome

“, he admitted.

I really think he has become an even better player, if that's possible.

Morten Wieghorst

His cannonball return to Brentford, an English club which he greatly contributed to saving from relegation last season, and his very solid performances with Manchester United, in a role a little more remote than usual, have removed all doubts.

"

I really think he's become an even better player, if that's possible

," assistant coach Morten Wieghorst said.

"

He brings his vision of the game, his technical skills and goals to our team, he is essential, a fantastic player

," he added.

How far do we want to go?

We dream of something big.

Christian Eriksen

But Eriksen and Denmark did not come to Qatar to make an appearance.

Eliminated on penalties by the future Croatian finalist in the round of 16, after having stood up to the future French world champions in the pool (0-0), the Danes went on to a semi-final of the Euro, where they led against the English at Wembley before yielding in overtime (2-1 ap).

How far do we want to go?

We dream of something big

, ”he said at a press conference.

And what better way to measure up than to find the defending champions in pool?

After having beaten the Blues twice in the League of Nations this year (2-1, 2-0), Denmark, almost spared from injury, would even be almost a favorite against the French, weakened by the absences of N'Golo Kanté, Paul Pogba or Karim Benzema.

Usually France in a big tournament is a totally different team from the rest of the time

,” Eriksen tempered.

And it will first be necessary to dismiss Tunisia, which the Danes have only faced once, in a friendly match and 20 years ago (2-1), before finishing against the Australians, whom they did not have managed to beat in 2018 in Russia (1-1).

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-11-21

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