Inter Milan players returned to training this week, after a summer off, with Christian Eriksen absent but the fans made sure he was there in spirit.
As great as Euro 2020 has been it will always be remembered as much for the football as for the haunting scenes on the opening weekend when Eriksen collapsed during the game against Finland.
Advert
The Denmark midfielder required CPR on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest and everyone feared for his life at the time.
After teammate Simon Kjaer helped save him, along with the incredible work by the medical staff, Eriksen eventually recovered in hospital and was discharged just days later.
Obviously Eriksen isn't yet back in training but his club teammates did start pre-season at Appiano Gentile this week.
Fans stood outside to get a glimpse of their heroes, and potentially get photographs and autographs, and chanted Eriksen's name.
There has been questions about whether Eriksen will return to football or not but former Ajax teammate Daley Blind has told people to leave the 29-year-old to 'leave him alone.'
Advert
In December 2019, Blind was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation after suffering from dizziness in a Champions League game.
Daley later collapsed on the pitch during a game and, like Eriksen, has had an implanted cardio defibrillatorfitted but continues to play.
On his former teammate, the Dutchman said, "When this happened to me, the whole world was telling me I was finished as a player, that I would not be able to play again.
"Look where I am today. This is why I say to everyone, 'Leave Christian alone!'"
Advert
Eriksen wasn't the only player missing for Inter at the beginning of their pre season, with a lot changing this summer for the Serie A champions.
Title winning manager Antonio Conte left soon after ending the club's 11 year long drought without winning the league, due to financial issues, and Achraf Hakimi has moved to PSG.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/PATopics: Football, Euro 2020, Serie A, Denmark, Christian Eriksen, Inter Milan
