Brentford star Christian Eriksen’s special message ahead of emotional return to scene of near death

Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen said it will be “special” tonight when he returns to the exact spot where he almost died of a cardiac arrest last June.

The 30-year-old midfielder scored with virtually his first touch of the ball in the 4-2 loss to the Netherlands on Saturday, his first international football since his near death experience.

And the former Tottenham star said that was just preparation for his return to the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, where he suffered his cardiac arrest in June 2021.

In the 42nd minute of Denmark’s opening home game of the Euros against Finland, Eriksen collapsed just as he was about to receive a throw in.

Football fans across the world waited with baited breath as the star midfielder received urgent medical attention.

He was rushed to hospital and was eventually stabilised, despite the Danish doctor confirming that his heart had stopped on the pitch.

And after returning to play football - with Brentford last month - Eriksen will now be returning to the scene of his near death experience.

Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand confirmed Eriksen was in line to start and captain his side in Copenhagen, while the midfielder himself admitted it would be more special to be able to play at the very scene where he almost died.

“That will be even more special,” he told Danish TV station Kanal 5.

“[Saturday’s goal] was just a warm-up for Tuesday when I’ll be running in exactly the place where it happened.”

It’s been a remarkable last 10 months for the midfielder, who has had a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted in him.

He has also seen his contract with Inter Milan cancelled, but that has been replaced with a return to the Premier League and trying to help Brentford stay up.

Showing great determination and an unparalleled desire to continue playing at the very top of his game, Eriksen has shown little signs of losing his touch, pace and power.

His goal against the Netherlands just minutes after being introduced is proof of his class and grace.

The year could end in style for the former Tottenham player, if he can help Brentford stay up in the Premier League and lead already-qualified Denmark to a memorable World Cup campaign in Qatar.

There are already clubs circling for his signature but LondonWorld understands that he will only decide his future after the season is over, and Brentford’s survival will be taken into account with his final decision.