In the early evening of June 12, 2021, Christian Eriksen was just happy to be alive. And lucky.
The Dane suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for his country against Finland in a European Championship group stage match, suddenly collapsing to the floor with no one around him.
Instantly it became clear how serious the incident was. He, essentially, died on the pitch and was brought back to life thanks to rapid and urgent resuscitation with the use of a defibrillator.
Not many would have predicted that Eriksen would be going to the Qatar World Cup later this month. And yet he will, hoping to inspire his country, which is among the dark horses for the competition.
From being forced out at Inter Milan to now starring for Manchester United, via a stellar six-month spell at Brentford, it’s been a hell of a journey for the 30-year-old.
Below, Sportsmail‘s Max Mathews looks at how Eriksen has made a miracle return from near death to the biggest tournament in the world in just 18 months.
In the early evening of June 12, 2021, Christian Eriksen was just happy to be alive – and lucky
The Danish attacking midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at the Euros in June 2021
That fateful day in June
What could have been the end was, eventually, the beginning of a long and arduous comeback to the summit of football.
His brave team-mates instantly surrounded him to prevent prying cameras seeing their stricken friend, captain Simon Kjaer and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel embracing Eriksen’s tearful partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen in a powerful moment.
The world of football united, with fans of all teams singing supportive songs, displaying posters wishing him well and giant shirts with his name brought onto the pitch before games at the tournament.
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (second right) embraced Eriksen’s tearful partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen (second left) in a powerful, emotional moment
The world of football united in support of Eriksen at the European Championship tournament
Supporters of all countries chanted songs and held up banners in support of the stricken star
After an operation, he visited his Denmark team-mates at their Helsingor camp before going back home to his family.
His side, driven by his words, reached the semi-final, where they were unlucky to exit the tournament after a late, controversial penalty for England.
Thanks to the quick medical attention he…