Ex-Tottenham star Nabil Bentaleb has been cleared to make a miracle return to football – just months after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The midfielder, 30, ended a five-year Spurs stay in 2017. Newcastle signed him on loan from Schalke in 2020.
Algeria international Bentaleb joined hometown club Lille two summers ago, but suffered a cardiac arrest last June.
He has since been fitted with a defibrillator, and looked after by the same heart specialist who saved the career of fellow ex-Spur Christian Eriksen.
Manchester United‘s Danish midfielder, who collapsed on international duty against Finland in May 2021, also wears a defibrillator.
The French FA’s medical experts have now given Bentaleb the green light to resume his club career.
Lille announced: “The French Football Federation’s medical commission has met to determine Nabil Bentaleb’s medical situation, and to decide on his personal and sporting future.
“It ruled positively in the light of the player’s latest tests and medical results, and spoke in favour of his return to competitive football.
“The Club is delighted to see our player authorised to rejoin his teammates at training from tomorrow onwards.
“Nabil, the people of Lille are looking forward to welcome you back at the Decathlon Arena.”
Lille president Olivier Letang added: “It’s a real joy to have this news after the 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 can once again do what he loves to do above all else, play football. We dreamt of seeing him back on the pitch – and that dream has now become reality.”
Bentaleb made 66 appearances for Tottenham, scoring once, and played in the 2015 League Cup final.
He had 15 games on loan to Newcastle before returning to Germans Schalke in summer 2020.
The midfielder has won 52 Algeria caps, scoring five goals for the north African side.
