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Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen
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Christian Dannemann Eriksen (Danish pronunciation: [ˈkʰʁɛs.tjæn ˈeː.ʁɛg.sən]; born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg and the Denmark national team.

Key Information

Eriksen began his senior club career at age 18 in 2010, playing for Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup. In 2013, Eriksen signed for Tottenham Hotspur in a transfer worth £11 million (€12.45 million), where he was twice named the club's Player of the Year, was voted into the 2017–18 PFA Team of the Year, and later also reached the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. In 2020, Eriksen joined Inter Milan in a transfer worth €19.7 million (£16.9 million), and won a Serie A title.

During a UEFA Euro 2020 match on 12 June 2021, Eriksen collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest; he was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation and was later fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. He returned to football eight months later with a move to Premier League club Brentford, before transferring to Manchester United the following season. At United, he won an FA Cup and EFL Cup before departing the club after the 2024–25 season.

Eriksen made his senior international debut for Denmark in 2010 at age 18, and is currently the nation's record appearance holder with more than 140 caps, including appearing in six major tournaments; he was also the youngest player at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[nb 1]

Club career

[edit]

Middelfart and Odense

[edit]

Born in Middelfart, Denmark, Eriksen followed in the footsteps of his father Thomas when he started playing football in the academy of local side, Middelfart G&BK.[5] Eriksen's father was also one of the coaches at the time and in 2004 they helped the youth side finish unbeaten in the local youth championship for the third time in a period of four years.[5]

The following year, he joined OB, who competed in the Danish youth championships, and within a year had helped the club to an age-group title. It was at OB that Eriksen first began showing signs of his technical ability, with his dribbling and free-kick techniques lauded by then-coach, Tonny Hermansen.[5] His form at youth level attracted the attention of a number of major European clubs, including the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona.[6] Eriksen ultimately underwent trials with both clubs as well as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Milan, but finally decided to move to Ajax, stating, "My first step should not be too big. I knew that playing in the Netherlands would be very good for my development. Then Ajax arrived and that was a fantastic option."[7]

Ajax

[edit]

2008–2010: Youth and first-team squad

[edit]

On 17 October 2008, Eriksen signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Amsterdam-based club, Ajax.[8] The transfer fee received by OB was estimated at €1 million (£847,199) while Middelfart also received a sum of €35 000 which they later used to construct a football pitch.[9][5] He worked his way through the youth teams at Ajax and was promoted to the first team squad in January 2010, where he was given the number 51 shirt.[10] Later that month, he made his first team debut in a 1–1 Eredivisie with NAC Breda.[11][12] He scored his first goal for Ajax on 25 March in a 6–0 win over Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch Cup and extended his contract with the club the following month.[13] On 6 May, he played in the second match of the final of the 2009–10 Dutch Cup as Ajax beat Feyenoord 4–1, prevailing 6–1 on aggregate.[14] At the end of his first professional season with the club, Eriksen had played 21 competitive matches, scoring one goal, and had made his international debut for Denmark.[15][16] Eriksen's form throughout the campaign earned praise from manager Martin Jol who compared him to former youth products Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart as well as Danish legend, Michael Laudrup for his reading of the game in the traditional number 10 role.[10]

2010–2013: Breakthrough years

[edit]
Eriksen (right) playing for Ajax in 2011

Eriksen took the number eight jersey ahead of the following campaign and began the 2010–11 season well, scoring his first Ajax league goal on 29 August 2010 in an away victory over De Graafschap.[17][18] Over the course of the next few months, he scored his first home goal at the Amsterdam Arena, in a 3–0 Cup victory over BV Veendam, and his first European goal, in a 3–0 UEFA Europa League win over Anderlecht.[19][20] In between the milestone goals, Eriksen was also named Danish Talent of the Year.[21] His growing capabilities as the team's playmaker saw him become an undisputed starter in the side and he helped Ajax to their first Eredivisie title in seven years. At the end of the season he was named Ajax's Talent of the Year.[22] His form throughout the campaign also earned him the Dutch Football Talent of the Year award which saw him become only the second Danish player to win the award since Jon Dahl Tomasson in 1996. Johan Cruyff, whose panel selected Eriksen for the award, described Eriksen as a typical product of the Danish school and added to previous comparisons between him and Brian and Michael Laudrup.[23]

On 18 October 2011, Eriksen scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League when Ajax beat Dinamo Zagreb 2–0 in the group stage.[24] In the return fixture the following month, he provided assists to teammates Gregory van der Wiel and Siem de Jong as Ajax recorded a 4–0 victory.[25] Five days later he was named Danish Football Player of the Year in recognition of his role in helping Ajax to the league title the season before and in Denmark's successful UEFA Euro 2012 qualification campaign.[26] Eriksen continued to impress for Ajax and his strong contribution, both in terms of goal and assist returns, helped the club to a second consecutive league title.[27]

Eriksen and Ajax repeated the feat in the 2012–13 season following which he opted not to renew his contract with the club. With only one year remaining on his current contract, Eriksen was permitted to search for a new club and he agreed terms with Tottenham Hotspur in England. Eriksen departed Ajax having made 162 appearances across all competitions and scored 32 goals. Along with his league success, he had also featured in three consecutive editions of the Johan Cruyff Shield, which Ajax won once.[28]

Tottenham Hotspur

[edit]

2013–2016: Premier League introduction and League Cup runner-up

[edit]
Eriksen (right) preparing to kick off for Tottenham Hotspur in 2013

On 30 August 2013, Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur announced that they had completed the transfer of Eriksen from Ajax in a deal believed to be worth £11 million (€12.45 million).[29] Eriksen joined the club on the same day as Erik Lamela,[30] who joined from Roma, and Vlad Chiricheș, who joined from Steaua București, and took the club's total spending for the 2013 summer transfer window to £109.5 million.[30] He made his league debut against Norwich City on 14 September and provided an assist for Gylfi Sigurðsson in a 2–0 victory.[31] After the match, Spurs manager André Villas-Boas commented: "It was a great debut for Christian, he is a pure number 10, a creative player and his individual quality made all the difference."[32]

Five days later, Eriksen "clipped a wonderful dipping shot" over the goalkeeper to score his first Tottenham goal and complete a 3–0 win over Tromsø IL in the Europa League.[33] He added to his Tottenham goal tally with a goal from a free kick in a 1–1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day 2013, and the second goal in Spurs' 1–2 away win against Manchester United on 1 January 2014.[34] On 23 March and two goals down against Southampton at White Hart Lane, Eriksen scored twice to level the score and then assisted Sigurðsson to score the winning goal.[35] He continued his goalscoring form on 12 April when he scored a stoppage-time equaliser to help Tottenham come from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 at West Brom.[36] By the end of the season, he had scored 10 goals and registered 13 assists across all competitions, won the Danish Football Player of the Year award and was named Tottenham's Player of the Season.[37][38]

Ahead of the 2014–15 campaign, Tottenham appointed Mauricio Pochettino as new club manager after the unsuccessful period under Villas-Boas and interim-manager Tim Sherwood. Between November and December 2014, Eriksen scored late winners against Aston Villa, Hull City and Swansea City which he credited to the Argentine manager for raising the team's fitness levels.[39] By the end of the calendar year, Eriksen had scored 12 goals from open play – more than any other player in England – and was soon after awarded his second consecutive Danish Footballer of the Year award.[40] On 28 January 2015, Eriksen scored twice in a 2–2 (3–2 aggregate) win over Sheffield United to send Tottenham into the League Cup Final.[41] His first goal, a 30-yard curling free kick, was later lauded by former professionals Michael Owen and Gary Neville.[42] The final, played against London rivals Chelsea, took place on 1 March and ended in a 2–0 defeat for Tottenham.[43] Eriksen completed the 2014–15 campaign having featured in every Premier League game for Mauricio Pochettino, starting all-but one match, and scored 12 goals across all competitions.[44]

On 9 June 2015, amid speculation that he would be joining Manchester United, Eriksen confirmed to Danish media whilst on international duty that he would stay at Tottenham for the foreseeable future and was quoted as saying: "I feel right at home at Tottenham and I haven't thought about leaving yet."[45] He did in fact remain with the club and scored his first goals of the season in October, netting from two free-kicks in a 2–2 draw with Swansea.[46] In January 2016, Eriksen was once again named Danish Footballer of the Year. In doing so he became the first ever player to win the award in three consecutive years.[40] He ultimately scored 6 goals and registered 13 assists as Tottenham ended the league season in third place, thereby qualifying for the following season's Champions League campaign.[47]

2016–2020: Premier League runner-up and PFA Team of the Year

[edit]
Eriksen playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 2016

Ahead of the following season, Eriksen signed a new long-term contract with Tottenham and starred once again for the club, scoring eight goals and assisting a further 15 as the club ended the league campaign as runners-up to champions Chelsea.[48] Eriksen's tally of assists was bettered only by Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne who set up 18 goals for the season.[49] Eriksen also recorded the joint-most assists in the FA Cup and later won the Tottenham Player of the Season award, claiming the award for the second time after previously winning it in his debut season with the club.[50][38]

Eriksen broke the record for the most goals scored by a Danish player in the Premier League when he scored his 33rd goal in a 3–2 win over West Ham United on 23 September 2017, surpassing the record previously held by Nicklas Bendtner.[51] On 9 December, he made his 200th appearance for Tottenham and marked the occasion by scoring in a 5–1 league win over Stoke City.[52] The following month, he scored his 50th goal for the club when he scored after just 11 seconds in the 2–0 league win over Manchester United.[53] Eriksen's goal was the third-fastest goal ever scored in the Premier League, bettered only by Alan Shearer and former Spurs captain Ledley King.[54]

On 17 March 2018, Eriksen scored twice in an FA Cup match against Swansea to send Spurs to the semi-final for the second season running.[55] On 1 April, Eriksen scored a 25-yard goal in the away match against Chelsea, helping Tottenham to their first win in 28 years at Stamford Bridge in a match that finished 3–1.[56] Later that month, in the reverse fixture against Stoke, Eriksen scored twice to earn Tottenham a 2–1 win. Following the match, teammate Harry Kane, who was challenging for the season's Golden Boot award, claimed to have made the last touch on the ball for the second goal. Tottenham appealed to the Premier League panel who agreed that the ball touched Kane's shoulder and awarded him the goal.[57][58] On 14 April, Eriksen was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time, alongside teammates Kane and Jan Vertonghen.[59]

In the 2018–19 season, Eriksen scored his first goal of the season in a Champions League away match against Inter Milan.[60] The match ended in a 2–1 loss for Tottenham, but in the home game against Inter, Eriksen scored again in the only goal of the game, giving Tottenham a 1–0 victory.[61] He scored his first Premier League goal of the season on 15 December 2018 in the home match against Burnley, a late goal that earned Tottenham a 1–0 win.[62] On 31 March, during a 2–1 defeat to Liverpool, he became only the second player after David Beckham to record 10+ assists in four successive Premier League seasons.[63] Three days later, on the occasion of his 200th Premier League appearance, he assisted Son Heung-min for the first ever goal at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before scoring a goal of his own in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace.[64][65] On 23 April, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[66] Later on, Eriksen played in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, which resulted a 2–0 defeat for Tottenham against Liverpool.[67]

Inter Milan

[edit]

On 28 January 2020, with his contract at Tottenham set to expire in six months, Eriksen signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Serie A club Inter Milan that would earn him €10 million per season.[68] He made his club debut the following day, coming on as a second-half substitute for Alexis Sánchez in 2–1 home win over Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.[69] On 20 February, Eriksen scored his first goal for the club, netting the opener in a 2–0 away victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Europa League.[70] He scored his first Serie A goal on 1 July, in a 6–0 win against Brescia.[71] On 21 August, Eriksen played in Inter's 3–2 loss against Sevilla in the 2020 Europa League Final, becoming the first player to lose two consecutive finals in the two current major UEFA competitions;[nb 2] he had lost the 2019 Champions League Final with Tottenham the previous year.[72]

In December 2020, Giuseppe Marotta confirmed that Eriksen had been added to the transfer list for 2021; however, his teammate Romelu Lukaku had previously hinted that Eriksen's struggles at the Italian club were due to the language barrier.[73] On 26 January 2021, in the final minutes of Inter's Coppa Italia quarter-final match against rivals Milan, Eriksen was subbed on with the score at 1–1. In the seventh minute of stoppage time and with the game seemingly headed for extra time, he scored his first goal of the season from a direct free kick to win the match for Inter and send them through to the semi-finals.[74] Following the match, Inter manager Antonio Conte said that Eriksen would remain with the club, despite being linked with a winter departure.[75] On 1 May, he scored Inter's first goal in an important 2–0 away win over Crotone, bringing the club closer to their first league title since 2009–10.[76] Inter were confirmed as league champions the following day, after closest challengers Atalanta failed to win their match against Sassuolo. It ended Juventus's nine-year grasp on the Serie A title.[77][78]

On 29 October 2021, it was announced that Eriksen was not permitted to play in the Serie A due to the presence of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator he had implanted after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game at UEFA Euro 2020.[79] Close to half a year after his cardiac arrest, Eriksen began individual training at the facilities of his youth academy team OB in Odense in preparation for a possible comeback to football.[80] On 17 December 2021, Inter confirmed they had terminated their contract with Eriksen.[81][82]

Brentford

[edit]

On 31 January 2022, Eriksen signed for Premier League club Brentford on a six-month contract.[83][84][85] On 26 February 2022, his first appearance was as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Newcastle United - he replaced Mathias Jensen, who came on in Eriksen's place in the game in which he suffered a cardiac arrest.[86] He recorded his first assist since his cardiac arrest in a 2–0 win over Burnley on 12 March.[87] He scored his first goal back in the Premier League in a 4–1 away win against West London rivals Chelsea on 2 April, helping the Bees secure their first victory over Chelsea since 1939.[88] Between the date of Eriksen's Brentford debut and the end of the season, only Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Ødegaard created more chances in the Premier League.[89][90]

Manchester United

[edit]
Eriksen taking a free kick for Manchester United on the opening day of the 2022–23 Premier League season

On 15 July 2022, Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement to sign Eriksen on a three-year deal.[91][92] On 28 July, it was confirmed that he would wear the number 14 shirt.[93] On 7 August, Eriksen made his debut in a 2–1 home loss against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.[94] He provided his first assist in a 3–1 home league victory over rivals Arsenal, setting up Marcus Rashford's second goal.[95] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 away league victory over Fulham.[96] Despite missing the final due to an ankle injury, Eriksen was a key part of United's 2022–23 EFL Cup winning side,[97] having scored his first home goal for the club in a 2–0 fourth round win over Burnley at Old Trafford.[98]

In late May 2025, it was announced that Eriksen would depart the club upon the expiration of his contract at the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.[99] His last match with United was on 25 May against Aston Villa; Eriksen scored a penalty to help United win 2–0 on the last weekend of the Premier League season.[100]

VfL Wolfsburg

[edit]

On 10 September 2025, Eriksen joined Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year's extension.[101][102]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Eriksen was called up to the Denmark national under-17 football team in July 2007,[103] and impressed in his debut for the team on 31 July.[104] In 2008, he scored eight goals in 16 games for the U-17s,[105] and was named Danish U-17 Talent of the Year by the Danish FA.[106] He was also one of four nominees for the 2008 Danish Talent of the Year award,[107] which was won by Mathias Jørgensen.[106] He played 27 games for the under-17 team until February 2009. He played a total of eight games for the Denmark U-18 and Denmark U-19 teams during 2009. Eriksen was also called up for the Danish U-21 squad to the European championship in Denmark in 2011, the Danish team only participated in the group stage and Eriksen scored a goal against Belarus.

Senior

[edit]

Early career

[edit]
Eriksen playing for Denmark at UEFA Euro 2012

Eriksen received his first senior Denmark call-up in February 2010,[108] making his debut in Denmark's friendly match against Austria in March,[16] to become Denmark's fourth youngest full international, being the youngest debutant since Michael Laudrup.[109]

On 28 May 2010, Denmark coach Morten Olsen announced that Eriksen would be part of the final squad of 23 participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.[110] He was the youngest player participating in the tournament.[111][112] At the World Cup, Eriksen played two matches, against the Netherlands and Japan, but Denmark were unable to progress beyond the group stage.[113][114]

On 9 February 2011, in a 2–1 friendly loss at home against England, Eriksen was named man of the match, and was praised for his performance by a number of prominent footballing figures, including Chelsea star Frank Lampard,[115] Man Utd star Rio Ferdinand (on Twitter),[116] manager Morten Olsen and several media experts in Denmark and England.[117] On 4 June 2011, Eriksen scored his first national team goal to give Denmark a 2–0 lead over Iceland in their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier. In doing so, he became the youngest Danish player ever to score a goal in European qualification, being nine days younger than Michael Laudrup when he scored his first goal in 1983.[118]

2018 FIFA World Cup

[edit]

In the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Denmark were drawn in UEFA Group E alongside the likes of Poland and Romania. Eriksen played a key-role during the nation's qualification campaign during which time he scored eight goals to earn Denmark a play-off against the Republic of Ireland.[119] The first leg of the play-off ended in a 0–0 home draw before Eriksen netted a hat-trick in Dublin's Aviva Stadium in a 5–1 win to earn Denmark a spot at the World Cup.[120] Eriksen's treble took his tally to 11 goals for the qualification campaign, bettered only by Poland's Robert Lewandowski (16) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (15) in Europe, and earned the praise of national team manager Åge Hareide who stated that Eriksen was one of the top 10 players in the world.[121]

In Denmark's opening match at the tournament, Eriksen assisted Yussuf Poulsen for the only goal in a 1–0 win over Peru before scoring his first goal for the tournament in the 1–1 draw with Australia the following week.[122] Denmark ultimately progressed from their group after which they were drawn with Croatia in the Round of 16. There they were defeated after a penalty shoot-out, with Eriksen being one of three players to have his spot-kick saved by Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subašić.[123]

On 9 September 2018, Eriksen scored twice in a 2–0 win over Wales to lead Denmark to victory in the nation's inaugural 2018–19 UEFA Nations League B match.[124] On 14 October 2020, Eriksen played his 100th match for Denmark, in which he scored a penalty in a 1–0 away win against England in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.[125]

UEFA Euro 2020 cardiac arrest

[edit]

Eriksen was included in Denmark's squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 on 25 May 2021.[126] On 12 June, while playing in Denmark's opening group stage match against Finland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Eriksen collapsed in the 42nd minute as he was about to receive a throw-in. Eriksen's teammate and captain Simon Kjær was credited for his response[127] after placing him into the recovery position.[128] Urgent medical assistance arrived immediately, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation were performed on the field before Eriksen was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and the match was suspended.[129][130] Around an hour after the incident, UEFA and Danish Football Association (DBU) officials confirmed from the Rigshospitalet Hospital that Eriksen had been stabilized and was awake.[131][132][133] The match continued later that evening, resulting in a 1–0 victory for Finland,[134] with Eriksen chosen by UEFA as the man of the match.[135] Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand and team doctor Morten Boesen both later expressed regret at the match's continuation,[136] although Eriksen's teammate Martin Braithwaite said that the decision to do so was the "least bad one".[137] The decision to continue the match was also criticised by Peter Schmeichel, father of Denmark's keeper Kasper, who said that UEFA had threatened the team with a 3–0 loss if they refused to finish the match later on that day or the following day at noon, leaving the players with "no choice" but to continue.[138] The BBC was also heavily criticised for continuing to stream the incident recording 6,417 complaints.[139]

The next day, Boesen confirmed Eriksen had suffered a cardiac arrest.[130][129] The incident itself drew comparisons to Fabrice Muamba and Abdelhak Nouri, two professional footballers who also collapsed during play in similar circumstances. Muamba was forced to retire, and Nouri suffered permanent brain damage.[140][141][142] On 15 June, Eriksen posted a picture of himself in the hospital on his social media along with a brief statement, stating that he was "fine under the circumstances".[143] The following day, it was announced that he would be fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device, a decision described by Boesen as "necessary due to rhythm disturbances" following his cardiac arrest.[144] The operation jeopardised his contract with Inter Milan due to Serie A rules, which did not allow players wearing ICD devices to play. His contract was terminated later that year.[79][81] On 18 June, the DBU declared that Eriksen had undergone a successful operation and was discharged from Rigshospitalet. After his discharge, he visited his Danish teammates in Helsingør before returning home to his family.[145] The Danish team later dedicated their 4–1 win over Russia in their final group match to Eriksen; the result allowed them to advance to the round of 16.[146] They later went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where they were eliminated following a 2–1 extra-time loss to England at Wembley Stadium, on 7 July.[147]

Return to international football

[edit]

Eriksen returned to international football on 26 March 2022, coming on at half-time in a 4–2 loss against the Netherlands, scoring two minutes into his return.[148] He was included in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,[149] playing in every minute of Denmark's campaign as they finished bottom of Group D.[150]

Eriksen was included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[151] He scored in Denmark's opening Group C match against Slovenia that ended in a 1–1 draw.[152] In the last group stage encounter against Serbia, he featured in his 133rd international match, becoming the most-capped Danish player ahead of his teammate Simon Kjær.[153]

In August 2025, after Eriksen's departure from Manchester United, Danish national team coach Brian Riemer excluded Eriksen from the national team's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches in September.[154] Riemer stated weeks prior that he would exclude Eriksen if the midfielder was not signed with a club.[155][156] On 30 September, after having signed with German club Wolfsburg, Eriksen returned to the national team squad list ahead of two World Cup qualification matches in October.[157]

Style of play

[edit]

Described as a "classic number ten" in the media,[10][158] Eriksen's favoured position is in a free role in the centre of the pitch as an attacking midfielder behind the forwards;[159][160] however, he is a tactically versatile player, who is also capable of playing as a central midfielder or mezzala in a 4–3–3 system (as was the case during his first years with Ajax),[158] and as a right winger in a 4–2–3–1 formation.[159][160] He has also been used on the left flank on occasion, or as a second striker.[160]

Possessing significant vision, passing range, crossing accuracy, set-piece delivery, creativity, technical skills, movement, and an ability to read the game, as well as good balance and co-ordination, Eriksen is highly regarded by pundits for his ability to orchestrate attacking moves for his team with his distribution, create or exploit spaces with his runs, and provide assists to his teammates; his range of skills make him an effective playmaker and creator of chances. In addition to his talent, he is also known for his work-rate and intelligence on the pitch.[10][158][159][160][161][162] He is also known for his eye for goal from midfield, and for his ability to strike the ball with power and accuracy with either foot, despite being naturally right-footed, in particular from distance;[160][161][162] moreover, he has also established himself as a free kick specialist.[5][163][164]

Due to his playing style, nationality, and role, pundits have compared him to his compatriots Michael and Brian Laudrup,[10][23] who were two of his major influences in his youth, as well as Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart;[10][158] Eriksen has also cited Francesco Totti as an inspiration.[165]

Personal life

[edit]

Eriksen lives with his girlfriend Sabrina Kvist Jensen.[166][167] They have a son and a daughter.[168][169] His younger sister Louise Eriksen also plays professional football, and has made appearances for the Danish women's under-16 national team.[170][171]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 18 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ajax 2009–10[15] Eredivisie 15 0 4 1 2[c] 0 21 1
2010–11[15] Eredivisie 28 6 6 1 12[d] 1 1[e] 0 47 8
2011–12[15] Eredivisie 33 7 2 0 8[f] 1 1[e] 0 44 8
2012–13[15] Eredivisie 33 10 4 2 8[f] 1 45 13
2013–14[15] Eredivisie 4 2 1[e] 0 5 2
Total 113 25 16 4 30 3 3 0 162 32
Tottenham Hotspur 2013–14[172] Premier League 25 7 1 0 1 0 9[c] 3 36 10
2014–15[173] Premier League 38 10 2 0 4 2 4[c] 0 48 12
2015–16[174] Premier League 35 6 4 1 1 0 7[c] 1 47 8
2016–17[175] Premier League 36 8 3 1 1 2 8[g] 1 48 12
2017–18[176] Premier League 37 10 3 2 1 0 6[h] 2 47 14
2018–19[177] Premier League 35 8 0 0 4 0 12[h] 2 51 10
2019–20[178] Premier League 20 2 2 0 1 0 5[h] 1 28 3
Total 226 51 15 4 13 4 51 10 305 69
Inter Milan 2019–20[178] Serie A 17 1 3 1 6[c] 2 26 4
2020–21[179] Serie A 26 3 4 1 4[h] 0 34 4
Total 43 4 7 2 10 2 60 8
Brentford 2021–22[180] Premier League 11 1 0 0 11 1
Manchester United 2022–23[150] Premier League 28 1 4 0 4 1 8[c] 0 44 2
2023–24[181] Premier League 22 1 2 0 0 0 4[h] 0 28 1
2024–25[182] Premier League 23 1 1 0 2 2 9[c] 2 0 0 35 5
Total 73 3 7 0 6 3 21 2 0 0 107 8
VfL Wolfsburg 2025–26[183] Bundesliga 4 0 0 0 4 0
Career total 470 84 45 10 19 7 112 17 3 0 649 118
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Includes Football League/EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Eight appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b c Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  6. ^ a b Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

[edit]
As of match played 12 October 2025[184]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Denmark 2010 10 0
2011 10 2
2012 11 0
2013 11 2
2014 7 1
2015 8 1
2016 9 6
2017 9 9
2018 10 4
2019 10 6
2020 8 5
2021 6 0
2022 11 3
2023 6 1
2024 14 3
2025 6 3
Total 146 46
As of match played 10 June 2025
Denmark score listed first, score column indicates score after each Eriksen goal[184]
List of international goals scored by Christian Eriksen
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 4 June 2011 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland 14  Iceland 2–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
2 10 August 2011 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 15  Scotland 1–1 1–2 Friendly
3 5 June 2013 Aalborg Stadium, Aalborg, Denmark 35  Georgia 2–1 2–1 Friendly
4 14 August 2013 Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland 37  Poland 1–1 2–3 Friendly
5 22 May 2014 Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary 43  Hungary 1–1 2–2 Friendly
6 8 June 2015 Viborg Stadium, Viborg, Denmark 52  Montenegro 1–1 2–1 Friendly
7 7 June 2016 Suita City Football Stadium, Suita, Japan 61  Bulgaria 2–0 4–0 2016 Kirin Cup
8 3–0
9 4–0
10 4 September 2016 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 63  Armenia 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
11 11 November 2016 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 66  Kazakhstan 2–1 4–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
12 4–1
13 6 June 2017 Brøndby Stadium, Brøndbyvester, Denmark 68  Germany 1–0 1–1 Friendly
14 10 June 2017 Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan 69  Kazakhstan 2–0 3–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 1 September 2017 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 70  Poland 4–0 4–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
16 4 September 2017 Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia 71  Armenia 2–1 4–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
17 5 October 2017 City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro 72  Montenegro 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
18 8 October 2017 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 73  Romania 1–0 1–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
19 14 November 2017 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 75  Republic of Ireland 2–1 5–1 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
20 3–1
21 4–1
22 9 June 2018 Brøndby Stadium, Brøndbyvester, Denmark 78  Mexico 2–0 2–0 Friendly
23 21 June 2018 Samara Arena, Samara, Russia 80  Australia 1–0 1–1 2018 FIFA World Cup
24 9 September 2018 Ceres Park, Aarhus, Denmark 83  Wales 1–0 2–0 2018–19 UEFA Nations League B
25 2–0
26 21 March 2019 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo 86  Kosovo 1–1 2–2 Friendly
27 10 June 2019 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 89  Georgia 2–1 5–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
28 5 September 2019 Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar 90  Gibraltar 2–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
29 3–0
30 15 November 2019 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 94  Gibraltar 5–0 6–0 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
31 6–0
32 7 October 2020 MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark 98  Faroe Islands 2–0 4–0 Friendly
33 11 October 2020 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland 99  Iceland 2–0 3–0 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
34 14 October 2020 Wembley Stadium, London, England 100  England 1–0 1–0 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
35 15 November 2020 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 102  Iceland 1–0 2–1 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
36 2–1
37 26 March 2022 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands 110  Netherlands 2–3 2–4 Friendly
38 29 March 2022 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 111  Serbia 3–0 3–0 Friendly
39 22 September 2022 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia 116  Croatia 1–1 1–2 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A
40 7 September 2023 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 123  San Marino 4–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
41 5 June 2024 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 129  Sweden 2–1 2–1 Friendly
42 16 June 2024 MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany 131  Slovenia 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2024
43 15 October 2024 Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland 138   Switzerland 2–2 2–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
44 23 March 2025 Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal 142  Portugal 2–2 2–5 (a.e.t.) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
45 7 June 2025 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark 143  Northern Ireland 2–1 2–1 Friendly
46 10 June 2025 Nature Energy Park, Odense, Denmark 144  Lithuania 2–0 5–0 Friendly

Honours

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See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Christian Eriksen (born 14 February 1992) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club and captains the national team. Known for his vision, precise passing, and expertise in set pieces, Eriksen has been a pivotal throughout his career, amassing over 650 club appearances and 149 international caps as of November 2025. His journey includes a remarkable recovery from a during , which highlighted global awareness of sudden cardiac events in sports. In September 2025, following the end of his contract with Manchester United, Eriksen joined on a free transfer until 2027, marking a new chapter in the . Eriksen began his professional career at Ajax in the , joining their youth academy at age 16 and making his senior debut in 2010. Over three seasons, he contributed to three consecutive titles (2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13) and one (2010), scoring 32 goals and providing 65 assists in 163 appearances. In 2013, at age 21, he transferred to Hotspur in the English for a reported £11 million, where he established himself as a key creative force. During his seven-year stint at , Eriksen made 305 appearances, scored 69 goals, and recorded 88 assists, helping the team reach the and win the . In January 2020, Eriksen moved to in , where he played 60 matches, scored 8 goals, and assisted 3 times, contributing to their title. His career faced a life-threatening interruption on 12 June 2021, when he suffered a and collapsed during Denmark's opening Euro 2020 match against ; immediate CPR and saved his life, and he was later fitted with an (ICD). After rehabilitation, Eriksen signed with in 2022 for a brief return, then joined Manchester United later that year, where he made 107 appearances, scored 8 goals, and provided 19 assists, including winning the 2023 . For , Eriksen debuted in 2010 at age 18 and holds the national record for most appearances with 149 caps as of November 2025, scoring 46 goals. He has been instrumental in major tournaments, including reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020—despite his on-field collapse—and participating in three World Cups (2010, 2018, 2022). Eriksen's resilience post-2021 has inspired initiatives for cardiac health in sports, and he continues to be a leader for the Danish side, earning three Danish Player of the Year awards.

Club career

Early career: Middelfart and Odense

Christian Eriksen was born on 14 February 1992 in , , to parents Thomas and Dorthe Eriksen. His father, Thomas, a former footballer and coach, played a significant role in nurturing his early interest in the sport. Eriksen began playing organized football at the age of five with his hometown club, G&BK, where he developed his skills in local youth teams. He remained with the club until 2005, contributing to notable successes such as his under-12 team's unbeaten local championships and a fifth-place national finish in 2004. In one standout match, Eriksen scored all eight goals in a comeback victory from 4-0 down against rivals TPI, showcasing his technical prowess alongside teammate . At age 13, Eriksen joined the youth academy of (OB) in 2005, commuting 30 miles from to train and progress through the age groups. By age 15, he was occasionally training with the senior squad, though he did not make a competitive first-team appearance. During his time at OB, his exceptional technical ability—particularly in free-kick taking and ball control—earned praise from coaches, who described him as a "wow" player unique in his generation; he even featured in a 2005 Danish FA DVD on technical skills. In 2006, he helped his age group win a national youth title. Eriksen's performances at OB drew scouting interest from major European clubs, including Chelsea and , whose representatives frequently attended training sessions. Despite trials with these teams, he opted to move to Ajax in 2008 at age 16, marking the end of his Danish youth development. While at OB, he also captained Denmark's under-15 and under-17 national teams, highlighting his leadership in youth international play.

Ajax

Eriksen joined Ajax's youth academy in July 2008 at the age of 16, signing from for a reported transfer fee of €1 million, and initially featured for the reserves team. His strong performances in the youth ranks, building on his foundation from , led to a promotion to the first-team squad in 2009 under manager . Eriksen made his senior debut on 17 January 2010, substituting in during a 1–1 draw away to . Just weeks later, on 7 March 2010, he scored his first senior goal in a 5–0 victory over . His breakthrough continued with his first goal on 10 April 2010, in a 4–2 home win against . In the 2010–11 season, Eriksen emerged as a regular starter in midfield, recording 7 goals and 11 assists across 33 league appearances while contributing to Ajax's title triumph—their first since 2004—and their runners-up finish. His playmaking was instrumental in the team's run to the round of 16, where they faced Real Madrid. Over the 2011–13 seasons, Eriksen solidified his role as Ajax's creative hub, amassing 22 goals and 47 assists in all competitions as the team secured titles in both 2011–12 and 2012–13, along with the 2012 . He played a pivotal part in notable European campaigns, including another round of 16 appearance in 2011–12 against . In total, Eriksen made 163 appearances for Ajax, scoring 32 goals, before departing in 2013 amid strong interest from clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur

Eriksen transferred to Hotspur from Ajax on 30 August 2013 for an initial fee of £11.5 million, signing a five-year . His technical foundation from Ajax proved instrumental in adapting to the physical demands of English football, where he quickly became a key . He made his Premier League debut as a substitute on 14 September 2013 during a 2–0 home victory against Norwich City, providing composure in midfield despite the high-intensity environment. Eriksen scored his first league goal for the club on 26 December 2013, a direct in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at . Over his initial three seasons from 2013 to 2016, Eriksen solidified his role as Tottenham's creative nucleus, delivering precise passes and vision that unlocked defenses in a known for its pace and pressing. He amassed 51 goals and 59 assists in 226 appearances during his full tenure, but his early contributions included standout performances like a of assists in a 4–0 win over Newcastle United in 2015. Tottenham reached the 2015 League Cup final under , falling 1–0 to Chelsea at , with Eriksen starting and nearly assisting the equalizer in extra time. The 2016–17 campaign marked a high point, as Spurs finished second in the —their best league position since 1963—with Eriksen's 10 goals and 24 assists across all competitions driving the attack alongside . From 2016 to 2020, Eriksen reached his peak influence at , blending long-range strikes with set-piece expertise to become a fan favorite. In the 2017–18 season, he recorded 14 goals and 13 assists in 47 appearances, earning selection to the for his 9 goals and creative output that created 35 scoring chances for teammates. Overall, he made 305 appearances for the club, scoring 69 goals and providing 88 assists across competitions, including memorable moments like his 11-second strike against Manchester United in 2018—the third-fastest goal in history. Eriksen specialized in free kicks, netting 8 direct efforts in the —a Tottenham record—and long-range goals, such as his 25-yard curler against in 2018. He was voted 's Player of the Year in for his breakout contributions. The team advanced to the 2019 Champions League final, where they lost 2–0 to in , with Eriksen starting but unable to influence the scoreline amid a defensive setup. However, the 2019–20 season saw a performance dip, with only 5 goals and 5 assists in 28 appearances amid tactical shifts and contract uncertainty, culminating in his departure as the deal expired.

Inter Milan

Christian Eriksen joined from Tottenham Hotspur on 28 January 2020 in a transfer worth €20 million, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract until 30 June 2024. His debut came the following day as a substitute in the quarter-final against Fiorentina, helping secure a 2-1 victory to advance to the semi-finals. He made his debut on 2 February 2020 as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Udinese. During the remainder of the 2019–20 season, Eriksen adapted to Italian football, making 20 appearances across all competitions and contributing 4 goals and 4 assists, including his first goal in a 6-0 rout of in July 2020. In the 2020–21 season, Eriksen became a key component of Antonio Conte's 3-5-2 system, often playing as an advanced alongside Nicolò Barella and Marcelo Brozović to provide creativity and balance in midfield. He featured in 40 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals—including a dramatic 97th-minute free-kick winner in the quarter-final against —and registering 3 assists. Inter reached the final but lost 2-1 to Juventus on 19 May , with Eriksen playing the full 90 minutes. Eriksen's contributions helped Inter secure the Serie A title that season, their first since 2010, clinching the with a 91-point campaign. Inter also won the 2-1 against Juventus in January 2022, though Eriksen did not feature due to his ongoing recovery. Over his time at Inter, Eriksen made 60 appearances in all competitions, scoring 8 goals and providing 3 assists. His stint ended on 17 December 2021 when the club mutually terminated his contract, as Italian regulations prohibited players with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) from competing, following his earlier that year.

Brentford

Eriksen signed a six-month contract with on 31 January 2022, days after receiving international medical clearance to resume competitive football. He participated in his first training session with the squad on 7 February 2022. He made his debut on 26 February 2022 as a second-half substitute (52nd minute) in Brentford's Premier League home match against Newcastle United, playing 38 minutes in a 0–2 defeat; this was his first competitive outing since his cardiac arrest. His first assist arrived on 5 March 2022 during his full debut start in a 3–1 away win over Norwich City, where he delivered the corner kick for Ivan Toney's opening goal. In the 2021–22 season, Eriksen featured in 11 appearances for , scoring 1 goal—a 25-yard strike in a 4–1 victory at Chelsea on 2 April 2022—and providing 4 assists. His contributions from set pieces, including corners and free kicks, were instrumental in 's mid-table stability, helping the club secure a 13th-place finish in their debut season. Eriksen's successful reintegration showcased his quick adaptation to the 's intensity post-recovery, with his vision and passing adding creativity to 's midfield. He departed as a in June 2022 after 11 total appearances, 1 goal, and 4 assists, attracting interest from multiple clubs for his impactful short stint.

Manchester United

On 15 July 2022, Manchester United announced the signing of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer from , where his performances had demonstrated his fitness for top-level football following his recovery. He agreed to a three-year contract running until June 2025, reuniting with manager from their time together at Ajax. Eriksen made his debut for the club on 13 August 2022, coming on as a substitute in the 2–1 Community Shield victory over at . During the 2022–23 season, Eriksen quickly became an integral part of United's midfield, making 44 appearances across all competitions and contributing 2 goals and 10 assists. His vision and passing range were pivotal in the team's domestic campaigns, particularly in the , where he played a key role in their run to the final, culminating in a 2–1 victory over Manchester City to secure the trophy. In European competition, United reached the Europa League quarter-finals with Eriksen featuring prominently in the group stage and knockout rounds, helping to stabilize the midfield alongside . Eriksen's influence continued into the 2023–24 season, where he recorded 28 appearances, 1 goal, and 3 assists. He contributed significantly to United's Carabao Cup triumph, starting in several matches en route to the 2–0 final win against Liverpool, while also helping the team finish as FA Cup runners-up after a narrow defeat in the final. In the Europa League, United advanced to the round of 16, with Eriksen providing creative support in midfield despite injury interruptions. In the 2024–25 season, Eriksen's role diminished amid squad transitions and the emergence of younger players, limiting him to 35 appearances, 5 goals, and 6 assists. Over his three-year tenure, he amassed 107 appearances, 8 goals, and 19 assists for United. In May 2025, the club confirmed that Eriksen would depart as a upon the expiry of his contract, having played a part in winning two major trophies: the and Carabao Cup.

VfL Wolfsburg

On 10 September 2025, Christian Eriksen signed with on a free transfer following his release from Manchester United, agreeing to a two-year until June 2027. At the time of his arrival, his was assessed at €4 million, positioning him as one of the most valuable free agents available after the European closed. The move marked Eriksen's entry into the at age 33, providing a fresh challenge in German football amid Wolfsburg's efforts to secure a mid-table finish. Eriksen made his debut for Wolfsburg as a substitute in a 3-3 Bundesliga draw against 1. FC Köln on 14 September 2025, shortly after joining the club. Initially deployed as a set-piece specialist and creative playmaker within a 4-2-3-1 formation, he focused on delivering precise passes and free kicks to support the attack. As of November 2025, Eriksen has contributed 1 assist across 8 appearances in all competitions during the 2025–26 season, helping to stabilize Wolfsburg's midfield while adapting to the league's physical demands. His experience from Manchester United enhanced his tactical versatility, allowing quick integration into the squad. The signing reunited Eriksen with a notable contingent of Danish internationals at , including , , , and , fostering a supportive environment for his transition. Beyond on-field contributions, Eriksen emphasized mentoring younger players, drawing on his leadership role to aid the team's development during their mid-table campaign. He has also featured in matches and Wolfsburg's UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, where his vision has been key in build-up play. As of November 2025, Eriksen continues to build his influence, with the club aiming to leverage his expertise for improved results across competitions.

International career

Youth career

Eriksen received his first call-up to the Denmark under-17 national team in July 2007 at the age of 15, making his debut four days later on 31 July against U17. Over the 2007–08 campaign, he featured in 16 matches for the U17 side, netting 9 goals and delivering standout displays during the qualifiers for the 2008 , where topped their group with victories including a 3–0 win over . His prolific form earned him the Danish Football Association's U17 Talent of the Year award in 2008. Eriksen was promoted to the under-19 team later in 2008, where he accumulated 6 appearances and 4 goals before turning 17. By this stage, his rapid progression through the youth ranks—totaling approximately 40 caps across the under-15 to under-21 levels—had drawn significant scouting attention, positioning him for senior national team consideration at just 17 years old. His club youth experience at further bolstered this international exposure.

Early senior career

Eriksen made his senior international debut for on 3 March 2010, substituting into a 0–1 friendly defeat against at age 18, becoming the fourth-youngest debutant in the nation's history. His rapid rise at Ajax facilitated an early call-up, and he was subsequently included in the squad for the in , where he became the tournament's youngest player at 18 years and 16 days old. Eriksen appeared as a substitute in both group stage matches against the and , though exited in the group phase with one point from three games. Eriksen scored his first international goal on 4 June 2011, netting Denmark's second in a 2–0 victory over at the . He contributed two goals across the qualifying campaign, helping secure second place in Group K and automatic qualification. At the finals in and , the 20-year-old started all three group stage fixtures against the , , and , showcasing his playmaking abilities with 85% pass accuracy and key passes despite limited chances created. failed to advance, finishing bottom of with no points or goals scored. His performances earned widespread praise, including from observers who highlighted his composure under pressure. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Eriksen featured in eight of Denmark's ten matches, scoring once—a curling free kick in a 2–1 win over the —and providing two assists, though the team finished second in Group D and lost a playoff to on away goals. For the qualifiers, he was a of the campaign, starting all ten games and scoring four goals, including a brace in a 2–1 victory against , as topped Group I with 15 points from 10 matches to qualify directly. Eriksen occasionally captained the side during this period, demonstrating leadership in Morten Olsen's midfield setup. Throughout the 2010s up to 2017, Eriksen amassed 67 caps and 17 goals for , emerging as the team's creative fulcrum in fixtures and friendlies, where his vision and set-piece delivery proved pivotal. His contributions were recognized with multiple individual honors, including the Danish of the Year award in —at age 18—the first of four such accolades, followed by wins in 2013, 2014, and 2015. By the end of 2017, following qualification for the , Eriksen's total stood at approximately 75 appearances and 18 goals when including all competitive and non-competitive matches.

2018 FIFA World Cup

Eriksen played a starring role in Denmark's qualification campaign for the , scoring a national record 11 goals in 12 appearances, which included a brace against in a 4–1 win on 11 November 2016 and a in the play-off second leg against the on 14 November 2017. His goals, comprising eight in the group stage and three in the play-offs, propelled Denmark to second place in Group E behind and ultimately secured their spot in via a 5–1 aggregate victory over . Selected for Åge Hareide's 23-man squad, Eriksen started all four of Denmark's matches at the tournament, captaining the midfield in a defensively oriented setup. In the group stage opener on 16 June, he provided the assist for Yussuf Poulsen's 59th-minute winner in a 1–0 victory over Peru, delivering six key passes while completing 90 minutes. Five days later against Australia, Eriksen opened the scoring with a stunning 30-yard strike in the seventh minute from a short corner routine, though Denmark could only draw 1–1 after a late penalty, with him registering three key passes. The group concluded with a goalless draw versus France on 26 June, where Eriksen created two chances but was contained in a tactical stalemate, enabling Denmark to advance as runners-up. In the round of 16 clash with Croatia on 1 July, Eriksen featured for the full 120 minutes, including extra time, in a 1–1 draw that went to penalties, where Denmark lost 3–1 after missing two spot-kicks. He struck the post with a first-half free-kick and generated two key passes, but Croatia's Danijel Subašić's saves proved decisive. Across the tournament, Eriksen recorded four appearances, one goal, one assist, and 13 key passes in 480 minutes, earning praise for his vision and control in midfield despite the team's conservative, counter-attacking approach that limited his creative output.

UEFA Euro 2020 and cardiac arrest

Denmark qualified for by topping Group D in the European qualifiers, where Christian Eriksen contributed five goals in eight appearances. The tournament began for on 12 June 2021 with their opening match against at in . In the 42nd minute, Eriksen suddenly collapsed near the touchline during a , suffering a that caused his heart to stop. Teammate Simon Kjær immediately turned Eriksen's head to ensure his airway was clear and called for medical help, while the Danish medical team, led by doctor Morten Boesen and supported by paramedics, rushed onto the pitch. The team performed and used a defibrillator to deliver one shock, reviving Eriksen after approximately five minutes of treatment on the field; he was then stretchered off and transported to in . UEFA suspended the match at the players' request, postponing play for nearly two hours amid discussions on player welfare and whether to resume that evening or the following day. The game eventually restarted at 20:00 local time, with playing the remaining five minutes of the first half and the second half under emotional circumstances; won 1–0 through a goal by . Eriksen was reported stable and awake later that evening, communicating with his teammates via video call from the hospital. Eriksen remained hospitalized for tests over the following days and was discharged on 18 June after being stabilized with no immediate cause identified from initial examinations. In his absence, Denmark's teammates honored him by incorporating tributes, including wearing armbands displaying his number 10 during subsequent matches. The team showed remarkable resilience, advancing from with a 1–2 loss to , a 4–1 victory over , and progressing through the knockout stages with 4–0 wins against in the round of 16 and the in the quarter-finals, before a 2–1 extra-time defeat to in the semi-finals. Denmark secured three wins in their five matches following the incident against .

Return to international football

Following his cardiac arrest at UEFA Euro 2020, Eriksen resumed training with the Denmark national team in August 2022 ahead of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League campaign. He made his first competitive appearance post-recovery on 25 September 2022, substituting in during Denmark's 2–0 victory over in the Nations League, marking his 60th international cap. Eriksen's club form at had earlier facilitated medical clearance for his national team reintegration. In October 2022, Eriksen started and scored in a friendly against a select opponent, though Denmark's full Nations League involvement saw him feature prominently across six matches, contributing one goal and one assist as the team secured promotion to League A by finishing second in Group A1 behind Croatia. His performances, including creating a Nations League-record eight chances in the 2–0 win over France, highlighted his creative influence from midfield. During the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Eriksen made eight appearances for Denmark, scoring once against San Marino and providing three assists, helping the team top Group H unbeaten with 22 points from eight matches. In the 4–0 win over San Marino on 7 September 2023, he scored and delivered two assists, completing 89 passes with 95% accuracy. Across 2023–24 friendlies and Nations League fixtures, Eriksen established himself as a consistent starter, earning 10 caps and scoring two goals by the end of 2023. This brought his post-return total to 20 appearances and four goals by year's end. Teammates, including captain , provided vocal support, emphasizing emotional reintegration, while coach made tactical adjustments such as positioning Eriksen in a deeper midfield role within a 3-4-3 formation to manage his fitness and maximize distribution.

UEFA Euro 2024 and beyond

Eriksen was named in Denmark's 26-man squad for on 30 May 2024, marking his return to a major international tournament for the first time since suffering a at Euro 2020. In the opener against on 16 June 2024, Eriksen started and scored Denmark's goal in the 17th minute, chesting down a flick from before volleying into the far corner, though the match ended in a 1–1 draw. He also started the 1–1 draw with on 20 June 2024 and the 0–0 stalemate against on 25 June 2024, contributing to Denmark's advancement as runners-up in the group with 1 goal across his 3 starts. Denmark's campaign concluded in the round of 16 with a 2–0 defeat to on 29 June 2024, where Eriksen again started but could not prevent elimination. Overall, he featured in all 4 matches, starting each one and recording 1 goal with no assists. Post-tournament, Eriksen maintained his international role in the Group A4 and the start of qualifying in March 2025, including starts against in September 2024 and subsequent fixtures. By November 2025, he had earned additional caps, bringing his total appearances to 146 with 46 goals as of October 2025. He reached his 146th cap in October 2025 during a qualifier. As of October 2025, Eriksen has amassed 146 caps and 46 goals for , holding the national record for most appearances.

Style of play and legacy

Style of play

Christian Eriksen primarily operates as an attacking midfielder (AM), though his versatility allows him to deploy effectively as a central midfielder (CM) or in the number 10 role. Right-footed and standing at 182 cm, his build contributes to a balanced profile that supports quick turns and stability on the ball. Eriksen's strengths lie in his exceptional vision and precise passing, boasting a career accuracy rate of approximately 78% across club competitions. He specializes in long-range through-balls that dissect defenses and is renowned for his set-piece expertise, having scored 12 direct free-kick goals at club level alone, with additional contributions internationally. His shooting from distance, often featuring curling efforts, adds a potent threat from outside the box, complemented by skillful in tight spaces and commendable work rate when pressing off the ball. Shaped by Ajax's philosophy during his formative years at the club, Eriksen has long idolized Danish legend , emulating aspects of his elegant, creative style. Throughout his career, Eriksen has evolved from a highly creative, advanced in his Ajax youth days to a more dynamic box-to-box operator during his Tottenham Hotspur tenure in the . Post his 2021 , he transitioned to deeper roles at Manchester United and later , emphasizing positional awareness and distribution from midfield. While his technical prowess remains elite, occasional defensive lapses have been noted, particularly in high-pressing scenarios, and he has battled injury proneness, missing significant time across multiple seasons. His statistical profile underscores this impact, with passing precision often drawing comparisons to elite creators like . Recovery from his cardiac incident has subtly refined his physical approach, promoting greater tactical discipline without diminishing his creative edge.

Legacy

Eriksen's remarkable return to professional football following his during has positioned him as a pioneer in athlete recovery, prompting enhancements in on-pitch emergency responses across major governing bodies. His case highlighted the critical need for immediate medical intervention, leading to launch the "Get Trained, Save Lives" campaign in 2023 in partnership with the European Resuscitation Council, which has trained over 176,000 people in CPR and emphasized the availability of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at matches. Beyond the pitch, Eriksen's experience has fueled global advocacy for heart health, contributing to a documented surge in public interest and awareness of life-saving measures. His collapse correlated with a significant increase in online searches for "," CPR, and AEDs worldwide, as analyzed in a 2025 American Heart Association study, which noted spikes in educational queries following the event. This raised profile inspired initiatives like the British Heart Foundation's rapid deployment of CPR training ads during Euro 2020 and the launch of their RevivR online tool in 2022, aimed at teaching resuscitation in under 15 minutes, while in , "heart runner" programs—volunteers trained to respond to emergencies—saw enrollment double post-incident. As a Danish football icon, Eriksen holds the record for most appearances for the national team with 146 caps as of October 2025 and is the all-time leader in assists with over 40, underscoring his role as the creative heartbeat of the squad. His resilience is symbolized by winning the Danish Footballer of the Year award a record five times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018), more than any other male player. Eriksen's club career has left a lasting imprint, exemplifying the Ajax youth academy's emphasis on technical development, which he exported to elite levels during his time at Hotspur, where his vision and set-piece expertise defined an era of attacking fluidity from 2013 to 2020. With over 700 club appearances across Ajax, , , , Manchester United, and , alongside his 146 international caps, he embodies sustained excellence in midfield orchestration. Off the field, Eriksen has embraced mentorship roles, notably upon joining in 2025, where he was immediately added to the team's leadership council to guide younger players alongside Max Arnold. Speculation surrounds his post-retirement ambitions, with his experience positioning him as a candidate for coaching, while rankings place him among Denmark's top 10 historical players for his contributions to both club and country.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Christian Eriksen met his wife, Sabrina Kvist Jensen, in 2012 while playing for Ajax in , where she was studying to become a . The couple began a long-term relationship that year and married in 2019. Sabrina, originally from Tommerup, , gave up her hairdressing career to support Eriksen's professional moves abroad, becoming a full-time partner and mother while maintaining a low public profile. The couple has two children: their first, son Alfred, born in June 2018; and a daughter born in December 2020, whose name has not been publicly disclosed. They prioritize family privacy, sharing occasional glimpses of their life on social media, such as family outings and milestones. Eriksen's career has involved several family relocations, starting with during his Ajax years (2012–2013), followed by for his Hotspur stint (2013–2020), a brief move to with (2020–2021), a return to with (2022), United in (2022–2025), and most recently to upon joining in September 2025. Sabrina has been instrumental in these transitions, providing emotional support and adapting to new environments alongside their children. Outside of football, the family enjoys travels to places like and revisiting Eriksen's former Ajax spots in , while embracing Danish culture through involvement in charities such as Fodboldfoden, which supports disadvantaged children. There have been no major public controversies in their , with the couple focusing on a stable, supportive home environment.

Health and recovery

During his on June 12, 2021, Christian Eriksen suffered of undetermined origin, a chaotic heart rhythm that caused his heart to stop pumping effectively. On the field, medical staff administered approximately five minutes of (CPR) combined with using an (AED), which successfully restored his heart rhythm after a single shock. Following the incident, Eriksen underwent implantation of an (ICD) in in mid-June 2021, a procedure completed successfully before his discharge from in on June 18. The ICD, a small battery-powered device placed under the skin near the collarbone with leads connected to the heart, continuously monitors for irregular rhythms and delivers electrical shocks if needed to prevent sudden cardiac events. Eriksen's recovery was complicated by Italian sports regulations, which at the time prohibited players with ICDs from competing in due to concerns over potential device interference with gameplay or safety risks. This rule led to his contract termination with on December 17, 2021, despite medical clearance to play in other countries like and . He was discharged from the hospital on June 18, 2021, and by December 2021, had regained full physical fitness through structured rehabilitation and training sessions at former clubs and Ajax. Throughout his recovery, Eriksen received psychological support to address the emotional impact of the event, including guidance from sports professionals. As of September 2025, Eriksen has reported no recurrences of cardiac issues and continues to play professionally, stating that his ICD is "just part of me now" and only reminds him of the incident during checks. He has made adjustments, including tailored diet and training regimens to maintain while accommodating . Eriksen has also become an advocate for ICD awareness, sharing his experiences to promote understanding of and the importance of accessible cardiac care in sports. His family provided crucial emotional support during his hospitalization, helping him navigate the initial recovery phase.

Career statistics

Club

Christian Eriksen has made 654 appearances in his club career across all competitions, scoring 118 goals and providing 180 assists as of November 15, 2025.

Club Breakdown

The following table summarizes Eriksen's appearances, goals, and assists by club, including splits by competition where applicable.
ClubTotal AppearancesTotal GoalsTotal AssistsLeague (Apps/Goals/Assists)National Cups (Apps/Goals/Assists)Continental (Apps/Goals/Assists)
Ajax (2009–2013)1633265113/25/5017/4/414/1/4
Tottenham Hotspur (2013–2020)3056988226/51/6930/7/1049/11/9
Inter Milan (2020–2021)608337/2/114/3/19/3/1
Brentford (2022)111411/1/40/0/00/0/0
Manchester United (2022–2025)10781982/3/1112/2/313/3/5
VfL Wolfsburg (2025–)8017/0/11/0/00/0/0
Career Total654118180476/82/13674/16/1885/18/19
Eriksen has accumulated approximately 47,614 minutes played in his club career. He has received 31 cards and no red cards across all clubs, with no recorded hat-tricks.

Seasonal Summary

Eriksen's club career spans from the 2009–10 season with Ajax to the ongoing 2025–26 season with . The table below provides a high-level overview of his performance by season, focusing on total appearances, goals, and assists across all competitions.
SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssists
2009–10Ajax902
2010–11Ajax33511
2011–12Ajax37714
2012–13Ajax471017
2013–14Tottenham29108
2014–15Tottenham36712
2015–16Tottenham45413
2016–17Tottenham41615
2017–18Tottenham481112
2018–19Tottenham51109
2019–20Tottenham2946
2020–21Inter3722
2021–22Brentford1114
2022–23Manchester Utd4027
2023–24Manchester Utd4636
2024–25Manchester Utd2136
2025–26VfL Wolfsburg801
Total-654118180
These figures highlight Eriksen's consistent contributions, particularly in midfield roles emphasizing creativity and set-piece delivery.

International

Christian Eriksen has earned 146 caps for the national team, scoring 46 goals as of November 15, 2025. Assists are estimated at 30 based on available data. In his youth international career, Eriksen amassed over 40 appearances and more than 15 goals across various age groups, including the U15, U16, U17, U19, and U21 levels; notable performances include 8 goals in 16 matches for the U17 side in 2008, earning him the Danish U17 Talent of the Year award from the . Eriksen's contributions are distributed across competitions, with strong outputs in qualifiers and friendlies. The following table summarizes his senior appearances, goals, and assists by key competition categories:
CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
World Cup Qualifiers3086
European Championship Qualifiers401013
Major Tournaments (World Cup & Euros)2032
2393
Friendlies33166
Examples from major tournaments include 4 appearances and 1 goal at the , and 3 appearances with 1 goal contribution at UEFA Euro 2024. Eriksen made his senior debut for on 5 February 2010 in a friendly against , and his career milestones include reaching 100 caps in 2021 and scoring his 40th international goal in 2024. He has recorded one , achieved in a 2015 friendly match. The table below outlines his annual senior international record from debut to 2025:
Season/YearAppearancesGoalsAssists
2010601
2011712
20121223
20131054
2014932
2015843
20161164
201712113
20181321
2019812
2020621
20211442
20221011
2023921
2024920
2025 (to Nov)200
Total1464630
Additionally, Eriksen has contributed to numerous clean sheets through his playmaking, with assists in matches where Denmark kept a on at least 10 occasions; his disciplinary record remains clean of red cards, with 5 yellow cards accumulated over his international tenure.

Honours

Ajax (2009–2013)

  • Eredivisie: 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13
  • KNVB Cup: 2009–10
  • Johan Cruyff Shield: 2013

Tottenham Hotspur (2013–2020)

  • EFL Cup runner-up: 2014–15
  • Premier League runner-up: 2016–17
  • UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2018–19

Inter Milan (2020–2021)

  • Serie A: 2020–21
  • UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2019–20

Brentford (2022)

No major honours.

Manchester United (2022–2025)

  • EFL Cup: 2022–23
  • FA Cup: 2023–24

VfL Wolfsburg (2025–present)

No major honours as of November 2025.

International honours

Eriksen has received numerous individual accolades for his contributions to the national team, establishing himself as one of the country's most decorated players. He was named Danish Footballer of the Year a record four times, in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018, recognizing his pivotal role in both club and international performances during those seasons. Among his notable records, Eriksen became the youngest Danish player to score in a qualifier at age 19, achieving the feat with a goal against on 4 June 2011. He also holds the distinction of providing the most assists in Denmark's history, surpassing 30 with his creative playmaking from midfield. Following his at , Eriksen's remarkable recovery and return to international football earned him the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award in 2023, highlighting his resilience and continued impact for the national team.

References

  1. https://www.[transfermarkt](/page/Transfermarkt).com/christian-eriksen/nationalmannschaft/spieler/69633
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