Nabil Bentaleb has been cleared to return back to action for Lille after more than six months when he suffered a cardiac arrest.
The Algeria international suffered the cardiac arrest during a five-a-side session with friends last June, needing CPR and a defibrillator on the scene before he was admitted to Lille University Hospital.
Ligue 1 giants Lille OSC, have now announced that the former Tottenham Hotspur player has been medically cleared to return to the pitch, although when that will happen is not yet clear.
“With regard to the latest medical examinations and results, has pronounced positively and has delivered a favorable opinion with a view to the resumption for Nabil Bentaleb on the pitch,” read a statement on the Lille website.
“The club, its leaders, staff and players are extremely happy to share this very good news.
“In the first place, they think of Nabil as well his family and are fully reassured on his health.
“This was the wish of Nabil and the club is delighted to see him being allowed to return to training with his teammates.
“Nabil Bentaleb has been extremely combative in the face of this ordeal and determined since day one, his goal was to continue to play football,
“Nabil, in collaboration with the club – has made sure to maintain an adapted physical preparation that will now allow him to train alongside his teammates.
“Nabil, no doubt that the people of Lille are already looking forward to being able to host him at the Decathlon Arena.
“Finally, the club would like to thank all the people who made it possible for Nabil to return.”
Bentaleb’s career began at Tottenham where he played 66 times between 2013 and 2017 before joining Schalke 04 for the next four years followed by a season at Angers in 2022-23 and finally a move to Lille in the summer of 2023. He also had a loan spell at Newcastle United in 2020.
He has been capped 52 times for Algeria, scoring five goals and has played at 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the 2015 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
