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

Liga MX Unveils Striking 2025 All-Star Uniform Showcasing Mascots and Team Symbols

Last week, Major League Soccer introduced the jersey for the 2025 MLS…

Welsh Rugby on the Brink: Two Regions at Risk, Pending Strike Talks, and Top Players Considering Departure Due to Financial Turmoil

Welsh rugby is at risk of seeing more of its key players…

USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Roster: Current Team Status and Future Contenders Before the Gold Cup Final

There won’t be many opportunities in the near future for the United…

Man United’s Pre-Season: Challenges of Selling Unwanted Players and the Influence of the ‘Gang of Five’ at Carrington, by Chris Wheeler

Pre-season is typically an opportunity for fresh starts and clean slates, but…

Retired Footballer Completes 37-Hour Fitness Challenge to Honor Late Teammate Joe Thompson, Dies at 36

As the self-doubt started to bleed into Simon Ramsden’s thoughts, his legs…

Rio Ferdinand’s 18-year-old son enters Premier League’s ‘nepo-baby’ ranks by inking first pro deal with top-performing team

Rio Ferdinand’s son Lorenz has become the latest in the expanding lineup…

Newcastle’s Latest Third Kit Honors a Classic Club Appearance

Newcastle United and adidas have revealed the club’s 2025/26 season third kit…

Why Arsenal is Investing £70m in Victor Gyokeres: Sporting Lisbon’s Rising Star and Brighton’s Greatest Regret

When Swansea signed a forward on loan in October 2020, it did…

Jordan Henderson’s Ajax Contract Ends Early at His Request: Club Issues Statement

Jordan Henderson is set to depart from Ajax right away, clearing a…

From Joyful Beginnings to a Heartfelt Goodbye: Ave Maria Echoes from Their Wedding to Diogo Jota’s Funeral Just 13 Days Later

At the end of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva’s funeral…

England U-21s triumphantly celebrate their European Championship victory

England’s Under-21 team celebrated in grand fashion after successfully defending their European…