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Aryan Suraj Chadha

'A slap in the face' - Ex-Netherlands striker opens up on 'maddening' ordeal as heart inflammation forces him to retire following cardiac arrest during match

Former Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Bas Dost has hung up his boots at 36 after a terrifying on-pitch collapse in 2023. The Dutchman described his difficult recovery from heart inflammation as "maddening" and revealed a "dramatic" setback that he called a "slap in the face" following his unsuccessful attempts to continue his career.

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    Dost calls it a day with the sport

    Former Netherlands international Dost has announced his retirement from professional football. The decision comes after a lengthy battle with health issues following a cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch in October 2023, with the player describing a major setback in his recovery as a "slap in the face" in an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

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  • Dost reveals 'maddening' recovery and 'dramatic' setback

    The terrifying incident occurred during an Eredivisie match between his club NEC and AZ, when Dost collapsed on the field and required resuscitation. He was later diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. After an initial prognosis of six months for recovery, Dost suffered a devastating blow. "It was maddening. The prognosis was that the inflammation would disappear after six months. I thought I'd be able to play again next season," he said. "But in March, a scan was done – with dramatic results. The inflammation was almost back in full force. That was a slap in the face for me."

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    A prolific career in the Bundesliga and beyond

    Dost enjoyed a successful career as a powerful centre-forward across Europe, becoming particularly well-known for his time in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Across his spells with both clubs, he scored an impressive 48 goals in 121 Bundesliga appearances. Before moving to Germany, he was the Eredivisie's top scorer with Heerenveen, and he also had a prolific stint at Sporting CP in Portugal. For Netherlands, Dost won 18 caps and scored one goal.

  • What next for Dost?

    While the 36-year-old confirmed that "the inflammation is now gone," the nearly two-year ordeal has prompted him to end his playing days. Dost took the opportunity to express his immense gratitude to the first responders who saved his life on the pitch, stating: "I cannot put into words how grateful I am to you." He retires with a legacy as a clinical and physically dominant goalscorer who made a significant impact in multiple top leagues.

    Additional reporting by Daniel Buse.