Bove announces desire to return in June and hints at opportunity abroad | OneFootball

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove has announced that he hopes to return to playing competitively in June, but has hinted that he is likely to continue playing outside of Italy due to Serie A regulations surrounding defibrillators and pacemakers.

Bove collapsed on the pitch 17 minutes into the Serie A match between Inter and Fiorentina at the beginning of September. He was rushed to hospital, admitted to intensive care and later had an internal defibrillator fitted before being discharged 12 days later.

While he has made a miraculous return to health, he is currently unable to play competitively in Italy with a defibrillator, much like what happened when Christian Eriksen left Inter in 2021. Bove has an option to remove his defibrillator, but he has not yet made that decision.

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 1: Danilo Cataldi of ACF Fiorentina and Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale reaction after the serious injury of Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina who was taken to hospital by ambulance during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Bove announces: ‘My goal is to return in June’

The former Roma midfielder gave an in-depth interview to the Italian edition of Vanity Fair, during which he expressed his desire to return to competitive football before the start of next season.

He has recently explained that not being able to play football has left a big hole in his life and has compared the situation to ‘a singer who has lost their voice’.

Asked by Vanity Fair if he misses playing at the highest level, Bove responded: “A lot. Not only in Serie A, I really miss playing with my friends. Not being able to play is like losing my greatest love. I can only explain it in this way.

“Now the challenge is to try and continue being myself, knocking that I’ve lost an important part of me.”

Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Empoli and Fiorentina at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 29, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

When asked if he is still saddened by the situation, Bove explained that he hopes that the circumstances are only temporary.

“I know that this is a temporary condition. My goal is to return to playing in June.

“I still have a few (medical) visits to do, the doctors have to cross-reference all of the data.”

Bove went on to explain the impact that having a defibrillator will have on his career.

“If I decide to keep it, I won’t be able to play in Italy. Here, health comes before the individual, I’m not saying that the rule is wrong.

“Abroad, yes, (it is possible to play) practically everywhere. Football is too important for me, I can’t allow myself to give up like this. I’ll try again, without a shadow of a doubt. I will also see how I am, If I’m afraid, if I don’t feel calm, then everything will change.”

Asked specifically if he is considering playing abroad, Bove replied: “As things stand now, yes. But I’m not ruling out the possibility of removing the defibrillator. The doctors are telling me that this is a possibility.”