Lille’s Bentaleb nets in first game since comeback from cardiac arrest

Nabil Bentaleb couldn’t have dreamed up his return any better after the Lille playmaker marked his comeback to the squad following a cardiac arrest last season with a goal in Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Stade Rennais.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest on June 18 and there were questions about the 30-year-old’s career in the sport.

However, he was given the go-ahead to resume professional football on Wednesday when the French Football Federation (FFF) cleared him to compete after a medical panel met to review his fitness.

The Algeria star struck the opener in the 80th minute – four minutes after stepping onto the field – and sprinted to the Lille dugout to rejoice over his first Ligue 1 goal for his childhood club with teammates and coaching crew.

“It’s like something from a movie,” Lille boss Bruno Genesio told journalists. “He earned it … it’s an unbelievable, fantastic tale.

“Nabil’s strike lifted us to the skies, it’s tough to put into words… that will stay etched in the memory of the club, of this campaign. And in Nabil’s heart, no doubt.”

Lille, fifth in the standings, welcome fourth-placed Monaco on Saturday.