Liverpool’s Diogo Jota suffered heart problem which created a "difficult moment"

Liverpool and Portugal sensation Diogo Jota has revealed he feared for his career in 2014 after being diagnosed with a heart problem.

The winger had just joined Portuguese team Pacos de Ferreira when a heart screening showed he had an issue.

Jota’s debut was held up as he was restricted from all forms of football for a month while doctors investigated the problem.

He has since enjoyed a stellar first season at Anfield, scoring 13 goals in 30 appearances since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, but admitted he did not know if he would play football again at one point.

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Jota said: “That was a difficult moment. It had the sort of impact that made me ask, ‘Will I be able to continue playing?’

“But I always keep a positive mentality in those situations, trusting that everything was going to be all right.

“I knew it could mean quitting football, but I didn’t believe for a second that it was going to happen.

“In Portugal, we use the phrase ‘you shouldn’t put the cart before the horse’ – don’t draw conclusions before you know the facts.

“The whole thing happened on my first day of work, when you undergo fitness tests.

Do you think more checks should be carried out to protect footballers from otherwise hidden heart conditions? Let us know in the comments section.

"It was a bit of a scare because there was some alteration in my electrocardiogram.

"I had to be submitted for an electrophysiological study.

"Only after that was I given medical clearance to continue playing. I ended up missing part of pre-season and my senior debut was delayed.”

The interview comes after ex-Spurs and Denmark maestro Christian Eriksen, 29, collapsed from a cardiac arrest during his country’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on Saturday.

Despite initial fears, Eriksen’s condition in hospital is now stable as he goes through medical examinations.

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