Simon Kjaer says he is ‘proud of the how we acted as a team’ as Denmark captain speaks for first time since helping to save Christian Eriksen’s life after his collapse… and claims team-mate will be ‘in our hearts’ during Euro 2020 clash against Belgium
- Denmark take on Belgium on Thursday night in their next Euro 2020 match
- It will be the country’s first tie since Christian Eriksen collapsed against Finland
- The 29-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch but has been stabilised
- Kjaer revealed his pride in how his team reacted to the shock moment last week
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer reveals he is proud about how he and his team-mates rallied around to help Christian Eriksen when he suffered a cardiac arrest last weekend.
In his first public statement since the 29-year-old’s collapse, Kjaer claims Eriksen will remain in the Danish players thoughts when the country lines up to face world number one ranked Belgium on Thursday.
Kjaer played a vital role when Eriksen first collapsed against Finland on Saturday as he cleared the midfielder’s airways, led his team-mates in creating a protective shield around the player and consoled his team-mates terrified wife, Sabrina Kvist pitchside.
And the Danish skipper claims playing for Eriksen is the ‘greatest motivation’ he and his team-mates have ahead of their second match at Euro 2020 against Belgium.
The statement read: ‘It has been some very special days, where football has not been the most important thing.
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer claims his country will play for Christian Eriksen when they face Belgium on Thursday at Euro 2020
Kjaer (left) was one of the first players to get to Eriksen when he collapsed against Finland last weekend
‘A shock that will be part of me – part of all of us – forever. The only thing that is important and really matters is that Christian is okay!
‘I am proud of the how we acted as a team and how we stood together in these difficult times. I am touched and very grateful for all the support.
‘Today, we will enter the pitch against Belgium with Christian in our hearts and thoughts. It gives us peace in our minds, which allows us to focus on the game of football.
‘We will play for Christian, and as always for all of Denmark. That is the greatest motivation for us all. As always, we will do our best.’
Kjaer was one of the first responders to Eriksen when he hit the ground in the 42nd minute of Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 match with Copenhagen.
The 32-year-old gave his team-mate CPR before the medics arrived to treat him. Eriksen needed 13 minutes of the intense resuscitation procedure before he was stabilised on the pitch.
Kjaer also organised a protective ring around Eriksen while he was being treated on the pitch
To help protect Eriksen’s privacy while he was receiving treatment, Kjaer ordered his Denmark team-mates to encircle him and the medical staff so nobody could see the treatment being given.
Kjaer also comforted Eriksen’s wife Kvist, as the Denmark footballers are close due to the fact they both play their club football in Milan.
It was revealed by medics on Sunday that Eriksen had suffered a cardiac arrest, with the 29-year-old publishing a statement at the start of this week to given an update on his condition.
Kjaer also comforted the distressed wife of Eriksen, Sabrina Kvist, whilst pitchside
The former Tottenham Hotspur player posted a selfie of him with his thumbs up and captioned it: ‘Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family.
‘I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
‘Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian’.
Christian Eriksen gave fans a thumbs up on Instagram from hospital after his cardiac arrest
Eriksen thanked people for their support and updated everyone on his medical situation
It was also revealed by German doctor Jens Kleinefeld, who treated him on the pitch, that Eriksen’s first words after being brought back to consciousness were: ‘Yes, I am back with you. For f***s sake, I’m only 29 years old.’
During their Euro 2020 match on Thursday afternoon, Belgium and Denmark players will kick the ball out at the 10th minute, Eriksen’s squad number for his national side, to applaud the 29-year-old.