Croatia defender Ivan Strinić given doctors clearance to return to football

Ivan Strinić (HNS)

Croatia and AC Milan defender Ivan Strinić (31) has been given the green light to return to football after a heart problem forced him from the game. 

The left-back was forced to take a break from football after doctors detected a heart problem three months ago. 

Strinić, who signed for Milan in July this year and has had yet to make his debut for the Serie A side, was told to suspend all competitive sporting activity after he was found to have a heart muscle condition in a routine check.

Speaking to daily 24sata, Strinić revealed that he has been given the green light to start training again after three months out and several tests. 

“I am healthy and on Monday I will return to training. It is finally over and I can say that finally a weight has been lifted from the heart, literally and figuratively,” Strinić said after been given the all clear today.

The Croatian international says that it was a shock when he got the news that he would have to take a break from football because of a heart muscle problem.  

He was forced to take a break from physical activity so medical staff could determine whether the heart problem was a consequence of sport and not a more serious illness. 

Ivan Strinić (HNS)

“I believed there would be a good outcome, but you know how it is, I was stressed because there is always a grain of doubt and the question ‘What if something is not right’,” he added. 

Strinić will work on a special fitness programme and says he hopes to be playing again as soon as possible. 

“If everything is OK, I should be right for the start of the EURO 2020 qualifiers in March. I hope till then I will be at my maximum and playing, but it will not be a question for me but for the coach. If the coach needs me I will be there,” Strinić said. 

Before moving to AC Milan, Strinic played for five clubs, including Hajduk Split and Ukrainian side Dnipro. He has won 49 caps for Croatia.