dream comeback after cardiac arrest

Eight months after his cardiac arrest, former Schalke Bundesliga professional Nabil Bentaleb has made a dream comeback.

17. February 2025

From: dpa/det

The former Algerian international came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of his club OSC Lille's match against Stade Rennes and scored the 1-0 lead in the northern French team's 2-0 win four minutes later.

"It's unbelievable. These are images that stay with you for a lifetime. Things you don't forget. I won't forget them even when I stop playing football," said the 30-year-old, who collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest during a private football match on June 18. He then had a pacemaker fitted.

Here Bentaleb celebrates his goal. © APA/afp / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER

"It's a story worthy of a film," said Lille coach Bruno Genesio. "It's quite rare to experience something like this. It's a moment that will remain forever engraved in the club's history, theirs and ours."

82 games for Schalke

For Bentaleb, who moved to his hometown in 2023, it was his first goal in an OSC jersey. From 2016 to 2021, the midfielder scored a total of twelve goals in 04 Bundesliga games for Schalke 82.

Schlagwörter: Soccer Cardiac arrest Comeback