Abderrahim Nouri has provided a hopeful update on the health of his brother, former Ajax midfielder Abdelhak Nouri. He does so nine years after the cardiac arrest that changed the talented footballer's life forever.
Nouri was twenty years old when he collapsed during a friendly match against Werder Bremen in Austria in July 2017. The sudden cardiac arrest caused a lack of oxygen to his brain and resulted in severe brain damage. He remained in a coma for almost three years before returning to the Netherlands.
"He is fine, and his condition is stable," says Abderrahim Nouri. "Especially compared to his condition at the beginning." He stressed that things are much better now than the extremely difficult period immediately after the accident. Three years after the cardiac arrest, Abdelhak smiled for the first time, a moment the family saw as confirmation that he knows and understands them.
Ajax honoured its academy graduate by permanently retiring the number 34 shirt. The story of Nouri, who was seen as one of the biggest talents from the club's own youth system, continues to resonate deeply with the club and its supporters. Ajax currently sits fifth in the Eredivisie with fourteen points from seven games. The last result was a 2-2 draw against Excelsior, part of a recent run of three wins, one draw, and one defeat. The current standings and player stats are always up-to-date on this site.
The report in full is at Goal.com
