Italian midfielder Edoardo Bove, from Fiorentina, made his way back this Monday to the Artemio Franchi Stadium, the same spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest on December 1 during a game against Inter Milan. This time, even though he didn’t play, he was on the bench for the match against Udinese.

Thanks to a special permission granted by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Bove was able to step onto the field during warmups and support his teammates from the bench instead of sitting in the stands. Fans greeted him with an emotional ovation, showing their unwavering support during this tough time.

A challenging road to recovery

The 22-year-old, who belongs to AS Roma, was discharged from the hospital on Friday, December 13, after having a subcutaneous defibrillator implanted. This device, while removable, will play a key role in his football future as Bove needs to undergo medical tests to find out the cause of his collapse and decide if it’s possible to remove it.

According to Italy’s strict regulations, the midfielder can only play in Serie A if the defibrillator is removed. Otherwise, he’ll need to continue his career in leagues with more flexible rules, like Danish star Christian Eriksen at Manchester United or Dutch player Daley Blind at Girona. Edoardo Bove’s presence at the Artemio Franchi was a significant step in his recovery and a testament to his determination to overcome the challenges he faces in his career.