Harry Kane Contacts Christian Eriksen After ICD Activation During Denmark vs Ukraine Friendly

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has confirmed he contacted Christian Eriksen after the Danish international suffered a cardiac episode during a friendly match between Denmark and Ukraine on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with Kane noting that Eriksen now faces serious decisions regarding his career.

Eriksen’s implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharged during the match to correct a dangerous heart arrhythmia, requiring the midfielder to be hospitalised. The incident marks the second significant cardiac event in Eriksen’s career, following his near-fatal collapse at Euro 2020 — the episode that first prompted doctors to fit him with the ICD device.

Speaking to ITV Football during England’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kane said he was relieved the device had performed as intended. “I’ve reached out to him today,” the striker said. “The main thing is the defibrillator was there, and it worked. I’ve not heard nothing back from Christian yet, but obviously he put the statement out saying he will go away and rest up and spend some time with the family now, which I think is important.”

Kane and Eriksen shared a dressing room at Tottenham Hotspur for six-and-a-half seasons between 2013 and 2020, forming part of the Spurs squad that reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. Kane acknowledged that his former teammate “has some decisions to make” — a sentiment that aligns with Eriksen’s own reported hints at retirement following this latest episode.

After his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 in Copenhagen, Eriksen staged a remarkable return to professional football. He initially joined Brentford in January 2022, earning a move to Manchester United that summer, where he spent two seasons before departing. The 34-year-old had been continuing his career at the international level with Denmark prior to the June 7 incident.

The activation of Eriksen’s ICD during a live match underscores both the ongoing risk the midfielder carries and the critical role the device has played in preserving his life on two separate occasions. While the technology functioned correctly, the episode has renewed scrutiny over whether Eriksen can continue competing at the top level.

As of the time of Kane’s comments, Eriksen had issued a public statement indicating he would rest and spend time with his family, but had not provided any firm indication of his next steps professionally. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, Denmark’s squad management will also be monitoring the situation closely.