Moroccan-Dutch retired footballer Abdellah Nouri wakes up from coma

In a coma for more than a year, Moroccan-Dutch midfielder Abdelhak Nouri woke on August the 5th and is able to communicate through sign language, reported his family.

Named as one of the best 40 youth players by the Guardian in 2014, Abdelhak Nouri collapsed during a friendly match against Werder Bremen, due to cardiac arrhythmia on July the 8th, 2017. He was transferred to the hospital and his family was told by doctors that he had suffered severe and permanent brain damage as a direct result of the incident.

DES NOUVELLES RASSURANTES POUR ABDELHAK NOURI EL HAMDULILLAH ??

Selon son frère ABDELHAK s’est réveillé le 5 août dernier, il reconnaît certains membres de sa famille et arrive à communiquer avec eux également (corporellement) ?? #StayStrongAppie #AN34 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3LizvPkSnj

— SOCCER212 (@sccr_212) 20 août 2018

For the record, Abdellah Nouri was born in Amsterdam to Moroccan parents in 1997. He debuted his career as an Ajax academy student and made his first professional appearance with Jong Ajax. He made in total 54 appearances and scored 11 goals.