Nabil Bentaleb, the Algerian midfielder with a career that made him a true “streets won’t forget” player, has made a triumphant return to football. After suffering a cardiac arrest last June, the odds seemed stacked against him ever playing professionally again. But in a remarkable turn of events, the 29-year-old has been given medical clearance to resume his career, bringing an end to months of uncertainty.
But what’s the story behind this beautiful and inspiring comeback? Today we dive deep into that.
From Premier League to the Brink of Retirement
Bentaleb’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Once a promising midfielder at Tottenham Hotspur, he spent five years with the club before moving to Schalke in 2017. In 2020, Newcastle United brought him back to the Premier League on loan, but his stay was short-lived. Eventually, the Algerian international found his way to Lille, his hometown club, two summers ago, hoping to reignite his career.
However, in June 2024, his life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing a five-a-side match. Initially, SB Nation’s Cartilage Free Captain reported that he had been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness. Later, RMC Sport revealed the shocking reality—Bentaleb had suffered a heart attack. The news was grim, with speculation that his career could be over.
He was treated with a cardiac defibrillator and CPR before being rushed to Lille Hospital, where he underwent surgery to have a pacemaker fitted. At that point, the French FA’s medical commission wasn’t optimistic about his return, raising serious doubts about whether he would ever play again.
Following in Christian Eriksen’s Footsteps
Despite the bleak outlook, Bentaleb was monitored by the same heart specialists who helped Christian Eriksen return to football after his own terrifying collapse during the Euros. Eriksen’s comeback to professional football with Brentford and later Manchester United provided hope, but each case is unique.
For nearly a year, Bentaleb underwent extensive medical supervision, with the priority being his long-term health. But in February, 2025, Lille finally received the news they had been waiting for—the French FA medical experts had officially cleared him to resume training.
Lille confirmed the news with a statement:
The French Football Federation medical commission has met to determine Nabil Bentaleb’s medical situation and to decide on his personal and sporting future. It has ruled positively in light of the player’s latest test and medical results and spoke in favor of his return to competitive football. The club is delighted to see our player authorized to rejoin his teammates at training from tomorrow onwards.
Lille president Olivier Létang also expressed his joy:
It’s a real joy to have this news after a long and difficult ordeal that Nabil and his family have been through. Fear and doubt have given way to optimism and pleasure at Nabil getting his health back. He once again can do what he loves to do above all else, and that is play football.
A Guard of Honour and an Outpouring of Fan Support
As Bentaleb stepped back onto the training ground, his Lille teammates gave him a hero’s welcome, forming a guard of honor and applauding his return. The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking emotional reactions from fans across the footballing world.
One fan perfectly summed up the occasion:
Nabil Bentaleb didn’t just return to football; he returned to life. That’s the real win.
Others, however, expressed concern over the risks of returning too soon.
Returning to high-intensity training so soon would be risky. The club should prioritize long-term health over short-term performance.
And some Spurs fans couldn’t help but dream about a midfield partnership that might have been:
Him and Eriksen both in central midfield for us at the same time. What are the chances?
What’s Next for Bentaleb?
Bentaleb has made 66 appearances for Tottenham, played 15 games on loan at Newcastle, and represented Algeria 52 times, scoring five goals. His return to training doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be back in competitive matches immediately, but it’s a major step in the right direction.
After months of uncertainty, one thing is clear—Bentaleb isn’t done yet. And as he takes this next chapter in his stride, fans will be cheering him on every step of the way.
