Algeria international midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has been given the go ahead to return to playing football just months after being ruled out of action due to a heart defect.
The midfielder had a fine career at English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, ending his five-year stay in 2017 with Newcastle United capturing him on loan from Schalke in 2020. Bentaleb, 30, joined Ligue 1 club Lille two seasons ago but suffered a cardiac arrest last June, forcing him to spend a few months on the sidelines but he has been cleared to return.
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. The French Football Federation's medical experts have also 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 Schalke in summer 2020. The midfielder, who represented Angers before joining Lille, has won 52 Algeria caps scoring five goals for the North African side.
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