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After suffering a cardiac arrest last year, Lille midfielder Nabil Bentaleb made a remarkable return to the pitch, scoring in his team’s 2-0 victory against Rennes on Sunday.
Bentaleb, who collapsed in June and was told his career might be over, came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of the Ligue 1 clash and found the net just four minutes later.
The 30-year-old reacted quickest after the Rennes goalkeeper parried a shot, slotting the rebound into the net. Overcome with emotion, he ran to the sideline to celebrate with his teammates and coaching staff.
"It’s like something out of a movie," Lille manager Bruno Genesio told reporters after the match, per BBC Sport. "He deserved it because this isn’t about luck—he believed in himself."
Bentaleb resumed training in January, seven months after his collapse, gradually rebuilding his fitness before making his long-awaited return.
His performance on Sunday earned him the Man of the Match award, a testament to his incredible comeback.
"Nabil’s goal took us to cloud nine. It’s hard to put into words," Genesio added. "This could be a defining moment in our season, something that will be remembered in the club’s history and, of course, in Nabil’s mind."
Bentaleb began his career at Lille before moving to the English Premier League with Tottenham. He later played in Germany for Schalke and had spells at Newcastle and Angers.
On the international stage, he represents Algeria, earning 53 caps to date.
Bentaleb’s return follows in the footsteps of players like Christian Eriksen, who also made a successful comeback to football after suffering a cardiac arrest.