Christian Eriksen returns from cardiac arrest in Brentford vs. Newcastle

Christian Eriksen played competitive football for the first time since suffering cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, returning as a substitute in Brentford’s clash with Newcastle United on Saturday.

Eriksen came on in the 52nd minute to rapturous applause. Earlier this month, he said he told paramedics to keep his boots, citing that he “wouldn’t need them,” when he suffered cardiac arrest while representing Denmark in their Euro 2020 opener in June.

– Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access

However, the midfielder completed his remarkable return to football on Saturday, making his debut for Brentford after joining the Premier League side in January. His side lost 2-0 to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who continued their push toward safety.

“If you take away the result, I’m one happy man,” Eriksen said. “To go through what I’ve been through, being back is a wonderful feeling.

“[Brentford coach] Thomas [Frank] didn’t say much [when I came on]. I’ve been speaking to him every day for the last few weeks. He just said good luck and enjoy the game.

“You can never predict the game. I don’t think anyone predicted we’d be down to 10 men so early. The guys did what they could. It was a good fight in the end.

“It’s been very special since day one. [Brentford] have taken good care of me. Everyone’s been really happy about it and everyone’s been really helpful. Everyone is here. My family, my parents, my kids, my mother-in-law and some doctors who have been helping me back and forth. What they’ve been through is even tougher than what I’ve been through.”

“It was a wonderful moment. That’s definitely the thing that’ll keep me smiling at the end. It was good to see him out there and it was good to see him show glimpses of what he is capable of,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said.

Eriksen was released by previous club Inter Milan after being fitted…