'Leave him alone!' – Daley Blind slams pundits saying Eriksen won't play again

Netherlands star Daley Blind has hit out at pundits speculating over Christian Eriksen’s future in football and believes his old teammate can continue playing despite suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Denmark international collapsed during his side’s Euro 2020 defeat to Finland and had to be resuscitated, though he was discharged from hospital on Friday – just six days later – after being fitted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator).

Blind also has an ICD after collapsing twice in 2019 and has been able to continue playing, and he believes old Ajax teammate Eriksen still has a chance of continuing his career too.

‘The images from Copenhagen – with Christian lying on the grass – had such a big impact on me,’ said Blind.

‘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.

‘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!”’

Blind continued: ‘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.

‘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.’

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