CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has said that his defibrillator implant is “just part of me now” as he admitted that he only remembers it is there during airport security checks.
Eriksen, 33, collapsed on the pitch during Denmark‘s opening game against Finland at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in 2021.
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Christian Eriksen has said that he only remembers his defibrillator implant is there during airport security checksCredit: Getty
The former Manchester United midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest and needed life-saving resuscitation on the pitch.
He was later fitted with a defibrillator implant (ICD) before returning to football with Brentford and then United in 2022.
Now Eriksen has signed for Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, having been let go by Man Utd at the end of the season, and has opened up on how he rarely thinks about his heart condition these days.
Speaking at his official presentation for Wolfsburg on Friday, the Dane discussed how setting off alarms when going through airport security body scanners is his only reminder of the incident.
He said: “I only have to go past the scanner and undergo a separate check. That’s all. There are no restrictions. Nothing.
“I have never felt anything since then. It is just a part of me now – nothing strange or sad.”
Eriksen went on to explain that he won’t delve into the details of what happened until after his career is over.
He added: “[I’m happy to] be seen as a footballer again, and not as the guy who had this moment at Parken [Stadium].
“I will only talk in detail about it after my career – it is something very personal.”
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He leaves Man Utd having made over 100 appearances in which he helped the club win both the FA Cup and the League Cup.
And despite the turbulent few years at Old Trafford, Eriksen had nothing but positive things to say about his time in Manchester.
He said: “Personally, I had a great time being at United. When I came back to football with Brentford, getting the chance to play against United was a massive thing.
“I also think I proved myself as a footballer at United. I had a really great time, and my family loved it there, and I’m sure we still have a lot of friends from our time there.
“I had a good time at the club, but it was a strange time because there was a lot of stuff going on at United.
“The focus and the perception of the club from the outside world is a bit different sometimes to how it really is.
“There are some lovely people at the club who are really working hard and trying their best, but it does not always go your way.”
FORMER MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Eike Immel has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison in relation to 107 cases of fraud.
According to reports from Bild, the majority of the cases centred around the 64-year-old borrowing money and not returning it.
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Eike Immel has been sentenced to over two years in prison in relation to over 100 cases of fraudCredit: Getty
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Immel played 43 times for Manchester City following long spells with Stuttgart and Borussia DortmundCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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The total value of the money in question is reported to be £29,775.
Immel also sold tickets to a European Championship game, keeping the money but failing to deliver the tickets.
The German was found guilty in all cases before being sentenced by the district court in Marburg on Thursday.
The former Euros-winning goalkeeper’s defence brought up his financial issues as a reason for his failure to repay the money.
Bild report that a statement given by Immel’s defence attorney read: “Mr. Immel is deeply ashamed of what is being discussed here in the courtroom today.
“He lives hand to mouth. This fact has been publicly known for years.
“[He is] not a professional fraudster, but a failed former footballer.”
Immel declared bankruptcy in 2008, and has since spoken to the media about his money troubles, last year claiming to be living off of benefits.
And after helping LAFC win a playoff to replace Club Leon, Lloris will be between the sticks for the Group D opener against Chelsea on June 16.
But his presence is sure to reignite the Blues’ capital rivalry with Spurs.
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CB: SERGIO RAMOS (MONTERREY)
Having led Real Madrid to four Club World Cups in the past, Ramos will be feeling confident he can help Mexican side Monterrey get far this summer.
The centre-back is already captaining the team just four months after joining following spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
But at 39 years of age, Ramos has shown he has still got what it takes to boss a defence.
And he will need to be at his best to help Monterrey get past Inter Milan and River Plate in Group E.
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Ex-Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is in townCredit: Getty
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He is now captain of Mexican side MonterreyCredit: Getty
CB: THIAGO SILVA (FLUMINENSE)
Once a Chelsea icon, always a Chelsea icon.
Even at 40 years old, Silva would still likely walk back into the Blues’ XI.
Instead, he is king of the hill at Fluminense, saving them from relegation in his first season.
And Silva’s know-how should help the Brazilians get out of a group which includes German giants Borussia Dortmund.
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Thiago Silva became an icon at ChelseaCredit: Getty
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The veteran is starring for FluminenseCredit: Alamy
CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI (BENFICA)
A two-time Premier League winner with Man City, Otamendi has gone on to win more trophies since leaving the Etihad.
Having now completed five seasons at Benfica, the 37-year-old has a Portuguese league title to boot.
And he even played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.
Otamendi is just one of several big forgotten names playing at Benfica, who are in a tough group with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.
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Nicolas Otamendi has won plenty since leaving Man CityCredit: Reuters
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He has spent five seasons at BenficaCredit: Getty
RWB: JOAO CANCELO (AL-HILAL)
Once regarded as the best full-back in world football, Cancelo’s fall from grace was swift after starring at giants including Inter Milan, Juventus, Man City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
He is now playing in Saudi Arabia, earning a fortune with moneybags Al-Hilal.
At the age of 31, Cancelo is still playing in his prime years.
And he will be looking to inflict damage when Al-Hilal come up against reigning champions Real Madrid in Group H.
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Joao Cancelo will be hoping to upstage old side Man CityCredit: Getty
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The right-back plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
CM: ANDER HERRERA (BOCA JUNIORS)
It’s been six years since Herrera, 35, lit up Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.
His tenacity in midfield endeared him to supporters while raking in FOUR trophies including the FA Cup and Europa League.
After playing for PSG and a second spell at Athletic Bilbao, Herrera now finds himself in Argentina with Boca Juniors.
But just six appearances in all competitions since his January switch means Herrera may not be guaranteed a starting spot in the US.
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Ander Herrera won four trophies at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor
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He joined Argentine side Boca Juniors in JanuaryCredit: Getty
CM: RUBEN NEVES (AL-HILAL)
Why he was not snapped up by a fellow Premier League club while at Wolves remains a mystery.
Neves, 28, is only entering his prime now and continues to be a key player for Portugal.
Yet he finds himself playing in Saudi with Al-Hilal, completing a shock move two years ago before leading them to a Treble last season.
Neves would still walk into most European squads and could attract interest with some strong Club World Cup performances — but that’s only if he wants to leave the riches of the Middle East.
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Ruben Neves was a star man at WolvesCredit: Getty
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He has spent two years at Al-HilalCredit: Getty
LWB: ALEX TELLES (BOTAFOGO)
A miserable time at Manchester United saw Telles, 32, fail to live up to the hype as one of Europe’s best left-footers.
After winning trophies galore at Galatasaray and Porto, he left Old Trafford empty-handed after just two years.
But he has enjoyed plenty of success since then, winning trophies at Sevilla, Al-Nassr and now Botafogo.
The Brazilian champs are coming in with a host of experienced homegrown talents and Telles’ deadly free-kicks are likely to cause some damage.
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It didn’t work out for Alex Telles at Man UtdCredit: AFP
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He has helped Botafogo win the Brazilian titleCredit: Getty
CAM: ANGEL DI MARIA (BENFICA)
Man United’s flop winger is returning to boyhood Argentina club Rosario Central this summer — but only after he leads out Benfica for the final time at the Club World Cup.
Ignoring his duff sole season in the north west, Di Maria’s record means he will go down as one of football’s most talented and decorated wingers ever.
His two years at Benfica have not yielded any trophies, however.
And Di Maria, 37, will be desperate to make amends before leaving Europe for good.
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Angel Di Maria’s struggles at Man Utd are well documentedCredit: Getty
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He is leaving Benfica for Rosario Central after the Club World CupCredit: Getty
ST: EDINSON CAVANI (BOCA JUNIORS)
Another former United player, Cavani will feel he did not do himself justice during his two seasons in England.
Having also struggled at Valencia, the 38-year-old is now leading the way for Argentine giants Boca Juniors
20 goals in 39 games last year showed Cavani still has an eye for goal.
And although his pace may have gone, the experienced Uruguayan’s sheer physicality and clever movement will surely see him in the mix for the Golden Boot.
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Edinson Cavani had a mixed two years at Man UtdCredit: PA
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He now bangs in goals for Boca JuniorsCredit: AFP
ST: OLIVIER GIROUD (LAFC)
Last but not least, Giroud will face off against old side Chelsea later this month.
His extra-time assist helped LAFC book their place at the tournament ahead of Club America.
Giroud has already become a talisman for his Californian side, preferring the role of creator to goalscorer.
And his cunning know-how could help the experienced poacher nick a goal when he faces off against a young Blues defence.
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Olivier Giroud will face old side Chelsea in the group stageCredit: Getty
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He helped LAFC qualify for the tournament with a last-gasp assistCredit: Getty
Cleverley does face competition for the job from fellow Englishman Will Still.
Still has left Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens following the end of the season in order to move back to England.
Football teams that controversially changed their badge
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Will Still is in the running for the St Mary’s roleCredit: Getty
Still’s parting message to RC Lens
Here is what Will Still told RC Lens fans about his decision to leave…
He said: “I won’t be the coach of RC Lens next season.
“It was the last season at Bollaert, for multiple reasons.
“The main reason that pushed me to make this decision is the fact that I need to go home.
“Everyone is well aware of what happened in my life. That’s why.
“I had a lot of fun, I think we achieved great things despite everything. I’ve been in France for four years, four years that I’ve experienced intense moments.
“The logical choice is that I get closer to my wife for her well-being too.”
