Share this @internewscast.com

Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb marked an emotional return to football with a goal, eight months after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The 30-year-old, who now plays for French side Lille, contemplated retirement last year after being hospitalised due to a heart attack in June.

However, Bentaleb completed his remarkable recovery from the life-threatening encounter on Sunday by scoring the opener in Lille’s 2-0 win at Rennes.

It took Bentaleb just four minutes to mark his heartwarming return with a goal at Roazhon Park, reacting quickest after a strong Brice Samba save to squeeze the ball home at the back post.

He then raced over to the Lille bench, which was overcome with joy, to celebrate with his team-mates and coaching staff.

Nabil Bentaleb scored four minutes in to his return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest

Nabil Bentaleb scored four minutes in to his return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest

The former Spurs star was hospitalised back in June and advised to not take to the pitch again

The former Spurs star was hospitalised back in June and advised to not take to the pitch again

The celebrations of his strike were emotional as he was smothered by team-mates and staff

The celebrations of his strike were emotional as he was smothered by team-mates and staff

The victory was later completed by former Arsenal and Middlesbrough attacker Chuba Akpom four minutes from time.

‘It’s worthy of a film,’ said Lille manager Genesio. ‘He deserved it, because I don’t believe in luck, he believed in himself. It’s an incredible, wonderful story.

‘At the time, I didn’t see who had scored. It was only when I saw him running that I realised it was him. My staff got up.

‘Nabil’s goal put us on cloud nine, it’s hard to describe. It could be a moment that will mark the end of our season, that will remain engraved in the history of the club, of this season – and in Nabil’s mind, of course.

‘It’s difficult to talk about it, because it’s quite improbable and incredible to imagine that it could happen like that. It’s a beautiful story.’

In late June, Lille confirmed that Bentaleb had been hospitalised due to an ‘illness’ and revealed he was being taken care of at Lille University Hospital.

In the days that followed, it came to light that the midfielder had suffered a cardiac arrest and had to have a pacemaker fitted to stabilise his heart.

Bentaleb was advised to step away from the game, but instead opted to follow in the footsteps of Christian Eriksen by showing extraordinary resilience to return to the elite level.

Bentaleb only returned to Lille training on Thursday, eight months after having a heart attack

Bentaleb only returned to Lille training on Thursday, eight months after having a heart attack

The midfielder was serenaded by Lille fans at full-time as he celebrated an inrcredible night

The midfielder was serenaded by Lille fans at full-time as he celebrated an inrcredible night

He follows in the footsteps of Christian Eriksen who made a sensational return to the sport after having a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020

He follows in the footsteps of Christian Eriksen who made a sensational return to the sport after having a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020

The Algerian midfielder only returned to full team training on Thursday, but he was still trusted by Genesio to play minutes against Rennes, and it paid off.

‘It was an explosion of huge emotion, you can see it,’ Lille defender Bafode Diakite said when recalling the goal. ‘Already when he started training with us again, it was something.

‘But for him to offer the first goal that got us past Rennes, there is nothing more beautiful. Have I already experienced that? No, this goes beyond football.

‘It’s the story of a life, we can only be happy. We don’t even know if he’s going to sleep tonight, it’s so huge. We’re all happy for him.

‘The supporters were also behind him, it was a kind of thank you to go see them. Nabil remains reserved. He was happy in any case.’

Bentaleb started his young career in the academy set-up at Lille before he joined Spurs’ youth ranks in 2012. He then earned his senior debut the following year.

The Algerian made 66 appearances in total for the club before signing for Schalke in a permanent deal in 2017 following a successful season-long loan.

Bentaleb has represented Algeria at four major tournaments and earned 66 caps for his country

Bentaleb has represented Algeria at four major tournaments and earned 66 caps for his country

The Algerian made 66 appearances in total for Tottenham before joining Schalke in 2017

The Algerian made 66 appearances in total for Tottenham before joining Schalke in 2017

He scored 19 goals in 107 appearances for the club and returned to the Premier League for a brief loan spell at Newcastle United in 2020.

Bentaleb eventually left Schalke and moved to Ligue 1 outfit Angers for one season before settling on a switch to Lille, his current club, last summer.

Earning 66 caps for his country, Bentaleb has represented Algeria at the 2014 World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Manchester City’s Club World Cup Woes: Sauna Sessions, Crosswords, and Rayan Cherki’s French Rap Lead to Al Hilal Disaster – What’s Next?

The beach yoga on Florida’s east coast wouldn’t have felt quite so…

Man United Make Historic Shirt Number Decision for 14-Year-Old Talent ‘Kid Messi’ Amid Interest from Top European Clubs

Manchester United have reportedly handed wonderkid JJ Gabriel a unique squad number. …

Behind the Scenes at Chelsea: The Historic Joao Pedro Deal, Levi Colwill’s Welcome Message, and the Enigma of Raheem Sterling

Chelsea’s acquisition of Joao Pedro will result in the Brazilian becoming Watford’s…

Brighton Acquires Viral Belgian Left-Back After Champions League Success

Brighton have completed the signing of Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge.…

Club World Cup: Battling Extreme Heat with Sniffer Dogs in Crocs for Paw Protection

Last week, Chelsea and Flamengo clashed at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia…

Kyle Walker bids an emotional farewell to Man City, expressing his gratitude despite feeling sidelined by the team. He departs to join Burnley in a surprising £5m move.

Kyle Walker has paid tribute to Manchester City after completing a £5m…

Lamine Yamal Joins Neymar for a Casual Game of Street Soccer During Brazil Visit

As Barcelona isn’t participating in the 2025 Club World Cup, their players…

‘Alisha Lehmann, Dubbed the ‘World’s Sexiest Footballer,’ Unveils Stylish New Look as Euro 2025 Begins’

Alisha Lehmann has sported a new bespectacaled look as she prepares for the…

Ellie Carpenter, Matildas Star, Faces WSL Competition From Her New Wife Weeks After Beautiful French Wedding

Matildas star Ellie Carpenter has signed for Chelsea on a four-year deal.…