Danish national team captain Simon Kjaer will receive the 2021 UEFA President’s Award alongside the Denmark medical team for their efforts in the wake of Christian Eriksen's on-pitch cardiac arrest.
June 12, 2021 will forever be a date that provokes haunting memories for all who were both inside and witnessed the horrifying moment when Eriksen collapsed to the Parken Stadium turf mid-way through the first-half of Denmark's Euro 2020 group stage fixture against Finland.
The footballing world came together in the wake of Eriksen's terrifying moment to celebrate the efforts of not only the medical staff that immediately tended to the midfielder, but also the heroics of Eriksen's teammates.
The entire squad were worthy of immense praise for their courage, forming a human shield around Eriksen as he received treatment to prevent camera crews from all over the world get a glimpse of such a sombre, sobering moment.
One teammate in particular, Eriksen's skipper Kjaer, is a worthy winner of the 2021 UEFA President’s Award for his quick-thinking in rolling the 29-year-old into the recovery position while preventing him from swallowing his tongue.
The former Tottenham star went on to thank Kjaer directly in a message to accompany news of the award, in which he said: "I would like to thank Morten [Skjoldager], Morten [Boesen] and the medical team who helped in Parken on 12 June. You did a fantastic job and saved my life.
"Also a big thanks to my friend and captain Simon Kjaer and my teammates in the Danish team for your support, both on 12 June and afterwards.
"Thanks to all the fans who have sent messages to me and my family. It means a lot and has given us strength and support. Thank you."
Eriksen's life was saved as the national side's medical staff acted fast as they deployed both CPR and a defibrillator before he was eventually stretchered off and taken to hospital.
A.C. Milan star Kjaer was humble in his response to the award, explaining: "It's something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives, the team reacted as a unit…as a team, we made the maximum effort to stick together and try to get through that situation and be as helpful as possible.
"I try to lead the team on and off the pitch, in every aspect of life, as footballers, when we’re together. I think it's one of the biggest privileges I have in my career.
"I’ve known Christian [Eriksen] for many years. He has a great family, he has a lot of friends, a lot of teammates that want the best for him. As long as he’s happy and his family is good, I’m happy."
