Ajax Defender Blind Collapses During Pre-Season Friendly

Ajax defender and former Manchester United player Daley Blind collapsed during a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, raising fears over his career following his diagnosis with a heart condition last year.

Blind was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation after suffering from dizziness during Ajax’s Champions League match against Valencia in December.

The 30-year-old was fitted with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD system) before returning to full training and match action in February. The device constantly monitors and regulates the heart’s rhythm.

Also Read: Oshoala In Action As Wolfsburg Beat Barcelona In Women’s Champions League Semi-final

However, concern was evident in Amsterdam on Tuesday as Blind’s teammates rushed to his aid as he collapsed to the floor in the closing stages of Ajax’s friendly against German club Hertha Berlin.

After the match, Ajax boss Erik ten Haag said that Blind was feeling “okay” but would undergo further tests at hospital on Wednesday morning.

Ten Hag said to Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport : “Daley Blind’s ICD went off. He got subbed off straight away and he is feeling OK now, he is feeling fine. We will do research about this now.”

Blind, who began his career with Ajax, spent four years at Old Trafford before returning to his boyhood club in 2018. He has made 68 appearances for the Netherlands.

Ajax are set to start the Dutch Eredivisie season on Sunday, September 13, but Blind’s participation could now be in doubt following his latest health scare.