DALEY BLIND has hit out at claims Christian Eriksen may never be able to play again following his cardiac arrest.
The Danish midfielder, 29, collapsed against Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest and has now been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) last Saturday.
It remains unclear whether the former Tottenham star will be able to play football again but he has made a good recovery and was fit enough to be released from hospital on Friday.
He paid his team-mates a visit on the same day, much to the surprise of fellow midfielder Christian Norgaard.
Ajax’s ex-Manchester United ace Blind also had an ICD fitted after he suffered from on-field heart problems in the past.
The Dutchman, 31, had people suggesting that his career was over but made a successful comeback.
And he has insisted that his story is evidence it does not mean the end of Eriksen’s.
As reported by the Metro, Blind said: “When this happened to me, the whole world was telling me I was finished as a player, that I would not be able to play again.
“Look where I am today. This is why I say to everyone, ‘Leave Christian alone!’
“I felt I was ready and I felt comfortable to return once I got the green light from the doctors in the hospital and the medical staff at Ajax.
“There was no reason why I could not play at the top level again.
“The most important thing is that you have to feel free in your head.”
Blind added: “I had no fear. I was just incredibly happy that I was allowed to be part of the squad again and to be back in the team.
“Once the doctors tell you that you are OK to play again, you only feel the tension and excitement of playing, not the tension of fear.”
It was back in December 2019 that Blind was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation after suffering from dizziness in a Champions League tie between Ajax and Valencia.
He then required medical attention after he collapsed in August 2020.
Blind was also in tears after he was subbed off during the Netherlands’ 2-0 Euro victory over Austria just days after the terrifying Eriksen incident.
He added: “Those images were so recognisable to me. It was so real again, this is why it was so emotional for me.
“I had to climb over a big, mental hurdle before I could manage to play the following day for Holland in our first group game.
“All the emotions came out. I am proud of myself that I managed to play for so long in that game. I did it, but it was hard.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
