Lille manager Bruno Genesio is elated with the immediate impact of Nabil Bentaleb following his return to action from a cardiac arrest, Afrosport reports.
The Algeria midfielder has been unable to play since June last year because of the severity of the health condition.
He however returned to action in the 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Rennes on Sunday, coming off the bench for DR Congo midfielder Ngalayel Mukau and scoring the first goal in the 80th minute before Ajax loanee Chuba Akpom sealed the win six minutes later.
Bentaleb’s impact left the Lille squad in extremely happy mood and Genesio says the moment will always be remembered.
“It’s worthy of a film. Obviously the victory was important after last week’s poor performance,” he said.
“But in addition, in these conditions, it gives even more joy, for Nabil [Bentaleb] as for the other players. He deserved it, because I don’t believe in luck, he believed in himself. It’s an incredible, wonderful story.
“We deserved our victory, in commitment, technically, tactically; it took a long time to materialize, and it was worth the wait.
“Nabil’s goal put us on cloud nine, it’s hard to describe. It could be a moment that will mark the end of our season, that will remain engraved in the history of the club, of this season. And in Nabil’s mind, of course.”
Nabil Bentaleb’s amazing story 🥹🇩🇿
⚽️ May 19, 2024: Last L1 match
⚽️ June 18, 2024: Suffers cardiac arrest
⚽️ June 27, 2024: Told his career was probably over
⚽️ Feb. 12, 2025: Back to training
⚽️ Feb. 16, 2025: First match back with a goalTHE BEAUTIFUL GAME. 😍 pic.twitter.com/B6qwi0M2le
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 16, 2025
Bentaleb will hope to be in league action again when Lille host Monaco at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday.
