Denmark national football team captain Simon Kjaer played a prominent role in saving the life of his colleague Christian Eriksen during the Finland match at Euro 2020, and inspired the world the true qualities that a captain should have.
Nearly 20 minutes after the match between Denmark and Finland resumed, Kier asked his coach Kasper Hjolmand to be substituted because he was severely affected by the Eriksen incident.
“Simon was deeply affected and doubted he could continue,” said Heulmand. “He tried, but it wasn’t possible.”
ملايين الناس عبر الشاشات، في المدرجات وداخل الملعب، كانوا في صدمة ويصلّون أمس السبت بعدما انهار كريستيان إريكسن لاعب خط وسط منتخب الدانمارك، وكان لا بد من إنعاشه داخل الملعب.
ولا يعدّ كاير صديقا مقربا لإريكسن أو قائد المنتخب الدانماركي فحسب، ولكن بعد الحادث، يمكن عدّه أحد أبطال الأمسية.
كان كاير هو من وضع زميله على الأرض في وضع جانبي ثابت ومنعه من بلع لسانه، وهو أيضا من طمأن زوجة إريكسن التي كانت تقف خارج الملعب، وهو من أبلغ زملاءه بتشكيل دائرة حول اللاعب المصاب لمنع رؤيته.
I can just imagine what Eriksen’s wife was going through at that moment. pic.twitter.com/EDZmIimkWU
— ?Bruno K? (@bruno_KUg) June 13, 2021
وقال ميكيل بيك مستشار كاير، ولاعب المنتخب الدانماركي السابق، على إنستغرام “أعرفك منذ 17 عاما ولم أكن فخورا بك قط أكثر مما أنا عليه الليلة. أنت بطل حقيقي، أنقذت حياة صديقك كريستيان إريكسن”.
Kier led the team back onto the field once play resumed after the match had been suspended for two hours, however at one point, the images and emotions of the dramatic night were too much for him to endure and he was replaced.
?? Respect. ??
Get well soon, Christian. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/SyWDfFAcXG
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 12, 2021
From a purely sporting point of view, Kier, 32, has had a lot of tests in his career. At the age of 21, he moved to the Wolfsburg team as a great defensive talent, but he could not fulfill the great expectations that were expected of him in the Bundesliga.
After that, he moved to teams: Roma, Lille, Fenerbahce and Seville, as Cair used to change leagues and countries. Sometimes he was a great player, at other times he was a regular player, before his career witnessed an unexpected big boost at AC Milan.
Together, he and Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the team from the middle of the table to participate in the Champions League last season. Many see Ibrahimovic as the main achievement, but at least Kair’s influence has been as great as his.
“They play for two rival clubs in Milan, but Simon and Christian are really close friends. Their lives, and the lives of their families are intertwined,” said Heulmand.