Edoardo Bove wants to return. © ANSA / CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

Bove announces comeback, but where?

Two weeks after his collapse during a Serie A match, Italian footballer Edoardo Bove has spoken out on social media.

16 December 2024

From: dpa

"I'm fine and that's the most important thing!" wrote the 22-year-old professional from AC Fiorentina in an Instagram post and also announced his comeback. Bove thanked his fans and football colleagues around the world for their support - which gave him "incredible strength and courage". "I felt surrounded by a positive energy that allowed me to stay calm and not feel lonely," he wrote.

On December 1, Bove collapsed after about a quarter of an hour during the home match against Inter Milan. It later emerged that Bove had suffered a cardiac arrest. The midfielder has since had a defibrillator implanted. He was released from hospital on Friday.

Defibrillator rules out Serie A comeback

Bove concluded his post with an announcement: "See you soon... On the pitch!" However, if he keeps the defibrillator, this could mean the end of his sporting career in his home country due to a strict clause in the Serie A regulations on the use of defibrillators.

Implanted defibrillators are not permitted for players in Serie A. For example, Danish player Christian Eriksen had to stop playing for Inter Milan three years ago after he had a permanent defibrillator fitted due to cardiac arrest. The 32-year-old now plays for Manchester United in England.