Nabil Bentaleb returns to training seven months after cardiac arrest | OneFootball

Lille OSC head coach Bruno Génésio has confirmed that Nabil Bentaleb (30) has returned to training seven months after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

At a press conference, ahead of Lille’s visit to Olympique de Marseille in the Coupe de France, Génésio gave the good news. “Nabil has been with us for a few days now. He has a physical trainer. For the rest, I cannot give you the information which as you can understand is confidential.”

Génésio could say, “The only thing I know is that today he resumed individual training with the ball. I saw him, and have spoken to him two or three days in a row. He’s well, he’s in good spirits, and everyone is waiting for him.”

There were doubts that he would play football again after he went into cardiac arrest on the 18th of June. His life was saved due to the quick reflexes of a friend present at the scene who administered CPR and used a defibrillator to resuscitate him, as well as the speedy intervention from first responders.

According to a report from L’Équipe, Bentaleb has been following the protocol established by the Dutch cardiologist who helped Christian Eriksen (32) return to football. Bentaleb will only be able to fully return to the field once he has been issued with a certificate of fitness from specialist doctors.

GFFN | Nick Hartland