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Football Insider

Ex-Netherlands Striker Bas Dost Opens Up on Heart Inflammation Ordeal

Former Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Bas Dost has announced his retirement at the age of 36, following a cardiac arrest during a match and a challenging recovery journey from heart inflammation.

Ex-Netherlands Striker Bas Dost Opens Up on Heart Inflammation Ordeal

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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Facing Adversity: Bas Dost's Retirement Announcement

Bas Dost, once a prominent figure in Netherlands football, has shared his struggle with heart inflammation, which ultimately led to his decision to retire from professional football. The ordeal began in 2023 when Dost collapsed on the pitch during a game, experiencing a cardiac arrest that shocked the football world.

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A 'Maddening' Recovery Process

The retiring striker described his recovery journey as 'maddening', pointing out the challenges he had to overcome due to the heart inflammation. Despite his determination to return to the pitch, Dost faced setbacks that made it impossible for him to continue playing at the top level.

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The 'Slap in the Face' Moment

In a dramatic turn of events, Bas Dost experienced what he called a 'slap in the face' as his attempts to resume his football career proved unsuccessful. The emotional toll of realizing that his playing days were over must have been immense, highlighting the harsh reality of professional athletes facing health-related challenges.

Published on September 26, 2025