It was 440 days of waiting, uncertainty, and recovery. This Saturday (14), Edoardo Bove returned to doing what he loves most: playing football.
The 23-year-old Italian midfielder made his debut for Watford in the match against Preston North End, during the 32nd round of the Championship.
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He was brought on in the final stretch (86′) of the game, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
There was a special celebration with family members present at Deepdale, the home of Preston.
Remember the case
Bove’s return carries symbolic weight. In December 2024, while still playing for Fiorentina, he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during an Italian Serie A match.
The game was immediately halted, he needed to be resuscitated on the pitch, and was then taken to the hospital. The incident shocked Italian football and raised doubts about the continuation of his career.
After detailed examinations, Bove underwent a procedure to implant a subcutaneous cardiac defibrillator (ICD), a device that monitors and corrects possible severe arrhythmias. It was precisely this device that prevented his return to the field in Italy.
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Due to the strict medical regulations of the Italian Federation, athletes with an implanted defibrillator are not cleared to participate in professional competitions in the country. Italian sports legislation is among the most restrictive in Europe in this regard, prioritizing zero risk in cases of heart problems.
In England, however, the protocol is different. After clinical evaluations and medical authorization, Bove was able to be registered by Watford and finally return to official competition.
Eriksen, then an Inter Milan player, faced the same issue after suffering a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020 and needing to use an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). He left Inter Milan, signed with Brentford, and also played for United before joining Wolfsburg, his current club.
Watford aims for the playoffs
The phase isn’t great, but Bove’s team still hopes to reach the Championship playoffs.
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They are currently in 12th place, with 45 points. Three points behind Derby, currently in sixth.
Middlesbrough (61) and Coventry (59) are securing the direct spots to the Premier League 2026/2027.
Check the updated standings here.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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