Matthijs de Ligt said he got goosebumps when Christian Eriksen took to the pitch during Saturday s friendly between the Netherlands and Denmark.
Eriksen had not played for his country since suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch in Copenhagen during Euro 2020 last year.
Yet the former Tottenham and Inter playmaker, who is now back in action with Brentford, returned after a 287-day absence and scored with his very first touch just 114 seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Eriksen, fittingly playing at the stadium where he made his name for Ajax, almost netted a second when a long-range shot hit the woodwork but, with his goal having reduced the arrears to 3-2, it was the hosts who went on to edge out a thrilling contest 4-2 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
For Dutch centre-back De Ligt, however, playing against the 30-year-old was difficult. Nevertheless, the Juventus defender is thrilled to see the Dane back.
It s not easy to tackle Eriksen, when he came on the pitch I had the skin go I got goosebumps, De Ligt told reporters.
We are players but also human beings, in those moments you have to think about playing, but it s clear that we are all happy that he is back playing at this level.
Eriksen did not create a chance for Kasper Hjulmand s side, but did put in a joint team-high three crosses (all from set-pieces) and completed 31 of his 36 attempted passes.
