Inter midfielder Christian Eriksen has sent out a heartfelt message to the individuals who helped save his life when he suffered a health emergency during the Euros.

The Dane released the statement on UEFA’s official website as part of the awarding of the 2021 UEFA President’s Award to his teammate Simon Kjaer and to the medical staff whose immediate attention kept him alive after he suffered a cardiac arrest during his country’s EURO 2020 opener against Finland.

The 29-year-old experienced the health emergency towards the end of the first half of the match against Finland in Copenhagen, in an event which shocked the world of football.

The outcome of the emergency could have been much worse, but thanks to the prompt first aid administered by Kjaer, and by medical staff on site from both UEFA and the Danish FA, his condition was stabilized and he was brought to the hospital in Copenhagen, where he received treatment, and now his recovery is going on track.

Eriksen stated:

“I would like to thank Morten [Skjoldager], Morten [Boesen] and the medical team who helped in Parken on 12 June. You did a fantastic job and saved my life.

“Also a big thanks to my friend and captain Simon and my teammates in the Danish team for your support, both on 12 June and afterwards.

“Thanks to all the fans who have sent messages to me and my family. It means a lot and has given us strength and support. Thank you.”

The recipients of the award are:

On-site medical team
Mogens Kreutzfeldt (chief medical officer)
Frederik Flensted (stadium medical manager)
Anders Boesen (pitchside emergency doctor)
Peder Ersgaard (paramedic)

UEFA Venue Medical Officers
Jens Kleinefeld
Valentin Velikov

Danish national medical team
Morten Skjoldager (physio accompanying the team doctor)
Morten Boesen (team doctor)
Simon Kjær (Denmark national team captain)