A German doctor who helped save Christian Eriksen’s life has revealed what the star said when he came round after his cardiac arrest

• A doctor who treated Christian Eriksen has revealed what the Dane said as he came round.
• Eriksen suffered an on-field cardiac arrest during Denmark's Euro 2020 match versus Finland Saturday.
• "Damn it, I'm only 29 years old," emergency doctor Jens Kleinefeld quoted Eriksen as saying.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A German doctor who helped save Christian Eriksen's life following the Danish star's on-field cardiac arrest has revealed what Eriksen said after he regained consciousness.

Eriksen, 29, suddenly collapsed during Denmark's Euro 2020 match against Finland on Saturday.

After being given CPR and defibrillation at the side of the pitch, he was taken to a nearby hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Emergency specialist Dr. Jens Kleinefeld was one of those first on the scene at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen Saturday.

"When I arrived, my colleagues had already done a very good job," Kleinefeld told German newspaper Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung in an interview published on Thursday.

"An experienced first aider had started the chest compressions and the defibrillator was ready. The electrode pads were already attached. I then took over management of the resuscitation."

The Danish team doctor Morten Boesen said on Monday that the midfielder "was gone" when he first arrived on the pitch.

Shortly after Eriksen's heart started beating again, Kleinefeld says he regained consciousness, then spoke.

"About 30 seconds later the player opened his eyes and I was able to speak to him directly. That was a very moving moment, because with such medical emergencies in everyday life the chances of success are much lower," he said.

"Eriksen looked at me and I asked him: 'Well, are you back with us?' And he replied: 'Yes, I'm with you again.'"

Kleinefeld says Eriksen then said: "Damn it, I'm only 29 years old."

"That's when I knew the brain wasn't damaged," the doctor added.

On Thursday, Danish football authorities confirmed that Eriksen will be fitted with an under-skin heart starting device.

"After Christian has been through different heart examinations it has been decided that he should have an ICD (heart starter). This device is necessary after a cardiac arrest due to rhythm disturbances," the DFU said in a statement.

An ICD, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, is fitted close to the heart and sends "electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms," according to the British Heart Foundation.

On Tuesday, Eriksen spoke publicly for the first time since his traumatic ordeal. The Dane posted a smiling selfie from a hospital bed while also providing a positive update on his current condition.

"Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family," he wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him giving a thumbs up.

A post shared by Christian Eriksen (@chriseriksen8)

"I'm fine - under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.

"Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark."

Denmark faces Belgium in its second Group B match on Thursday.

Belgium has announced it will put the ball out of play in the 10th minute of the match in homage to Eriksen, who wears the number 10 shirt for his country.