Nabil Bentaleb, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Algeria midfielder, has returned to training with Lille just seven months after experiencing a cardiorespiratory arrest. Bentaleb, 30, resumed individual workouts with a physical trainer a few days ago and began ball practice on Monday, as confirmed by Lille’s head coach Bruno Genesio.
Genesio expressed optimism about Bentaleb’s recovery, stating, “I’ve seen him and spoken to him for the past two or three days. He’s in good spirits, and he’s motivated.” The midfielder’s return to the pitch follows a serious health scare that occurred on June 18, when he collapsed during a five-a-side match with friends. After being rushed to Lille University Hospital, he was placed in an artificial coma and later fitted with a pacemaker-defibrillator.
Bentaleb is hopeful about resuming his professional career, drawing inspiration from Danish player Christian Eriksen, who successfully returned to football after suffering a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match in 2021. Bentaleb rejoined Lille in 2023, returning to the club where he developed his skills as a youth player. After being released from Lille’s academy, he began his senior career at Tottenham, where he made over 60 appearances before moving to Schalke, and subsequently playing for Newcastle and Angers.
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