Anders Christiansen has not spoken to the media since the fateful day at the end of May last year. Now he is sitting on the press podium inside the Eleda Stadium, ready to start his ninth season in Malmö FF.
The last one was canceled after the 33-year-old passed out during a training session. The Dane needed to go to hospital, where an ICD, a type of pacemaker, was operated on. Later came the news that Christiansen’s season was over.
“AC” says that as recently as Monday he received the go-ahead from the doctors to play football at the highest level. This after having been in more or less full training during parts of this year’s pre-season.
– First of all, thank you for the respect you have shown me during that period. Thanks to teammates and the club. I haven’t talked to you because I only got the go-ahead to play at the elite level on Monday. I have done a lot of tests over 6-7 months and have not wanted to be exposed to external pressure, says Christiansen.
– Now I will get ready for matches in 90 minutes and hopefully get back to full match form. I’m taking a step back now to get ready for a long season.
Tough time for the family
What has it been like to live under the uncertainty, in the meantime?
– Until then, on Monday evening, I didn’t know with one hundred percent certainty if I could continue playing. The first step was more about what my everyday life would look like. What would life be like after surgery. When those answers went well, it was about how the next phase would be. And it went well.
Can you take us back to that day?
– I felt something different in my chest during training. I have a moment where I collapse, physiotherapy comes first and I was in hospital for a week in Malmö and Lund, before I was told that I would be operated on.
– First I was informed that I could not continue playing. It was in the beginning. The doctors did not know that I could continue with one hundred percent certainty. It was not fun to hear, says Christiansen.
– It has been a tough time for everyone, for the family. They also thought of the worst and got tested, in case something ran in the family. It wasn’t the summer I was hoping for, says “AC” and continues:
– I have always felt that you are immortal in some way. And when something different suddenly happens in the body, of course I start to doubt my body. To trust it again and get through this. The answers gave me great security that I can live my life, and that you should be able to live as usual again and not be worried. On the contrary, I have received an extra life insurance that will help me again in “worst case”.
Christian Eriksen great support
He says that compatriot Christian Eriksen was a big help. The Man United player suffered heart problems himself in 2021.
– It was an incredibly big help. He has helped me through the phases, who to talk to. The mental support, he was a big help in that.
– I don’t want to make it (the heart problem) a discussion because there are different views on what to do and what not to do. I have had a team around me that is among the best in Europe, maybe in the world. I trust them one hundred percent and I have no desire to enter into a discussion about what other doctors think is good or less good.
Just want to come back
“AC” aims to play in the Allsvenskan in the coming months.
– I hope to get back to match play soon. Whether it will be at the Allsvenskan start or this summer – I don’t know. I just want to come back, that’s the most important thing, says Christiansen.
Anders Christiansen is noted for 234 appearances for Malmö FF, where he scored 61 goals and 46 assists. His contract with the club runs through this season.
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