Lille coach says Algerian international is motivated
Algerian midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, a former Premier League player for Tottenham , has returned to training with Lille , seven months after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to the AP news agency. The French team’s coach, Bruno Genesio, revealed that Bentaleb had restarted individual training a few days ago, with a fitness coach, and that he is now working with the ball.
“We saw each other and spoke in the last few days. His spirits are good, he is in a good mood and I feel he is motivated,” added Genesio.
Bentaleb collapsed during a leisurely football game with friends on June 18, according to French media reports. He was taken to Lille University Hospital and placed in an induced coma, and a defibrillator was implanted a few days later after doctors diagnosed a heart attack.
The 30-year-old is hoping to relaunch his career, following in the footsteps of Christian Eriksen . The Danish midfielder also suffered a heart problem during the 2021 European Championship match against Finland and was implanted with a device similar to a pacemaker . Eriksen has made a full recovery and is currently playing in the Premier League for Manchester United .
Bentaleb returned in 2023 to Lille – the club that formed him as a footballer, taking him to the academy at the age of 10. In addition to Tottenham , the Algerian played for Schalke in the Bundesliga , as well as Newcastle and Angers.
