Brother of brain-damaged Ajax talent Appie Nouri confirms improvement

The brother of Abdelhak “Appie” Nouri, an Ajax youngster who sustained permanent brain damage after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia attack during a match in July 2017, has confirmed marked improvements in the 21-year-old’s condition and communication.

Nouri, touted as a future star after impressing for the Amsterdam side’s reserve side Jong Ajax, collapsed during a friendly against Werder Bremen last summer and was placed in an induced coma. Ajax subsequently announced the former Netherlands youth international had suffered “serious and permanent” brain damage and that there was no chance of a full recovery.

However, speaking to Dutch outlet NOS, as reported by CNN, Abderrahim Nouri provided a positive update on his brother’s condition, revealing Appie has awoken from his coma and has been able to communicate with family members.

“Not in the beginning, he was just in the coma and had his eyes closed. Slowly, he was waking up a bit more and more. But, since December and January, his awareness has become a little better and there is a form of communication. When you asked him something, he opened his mouth or confirmed he understood by raising an eyebrow …

Neurologically, he is much better than before. Physically, it’s a little more difficult and we see a little deterioration but that’s pure(ly) because he is not moving. Sometimes, he comes out of bed to sit in his wheelchair. That was more difficult before. But he has ups and downs. His resistance and immune system are very low. It swings a lot.

Since day one, there has been a difference from when we see him compared to the doctors. In the beginning, it was true that we were not allowed to stay with him for a long time, as these are the hospital’s rules. But the doctors saw that we as a family had a lot of influence on Abdelhak. He became calmer, he recognized us, and he was quieter with us than with the doctors. You reassure him, he hears a familiar voice, especially if my mum and dad are with him. We’re staying 24/7 with him, because it does him good …

Of course, I believe in science and I believe in what I see, but if we talk about the future, I think: time will teach us. We believe he is capable of anything. Nothing is difficult for him. And we keep our hopes up. For people from outside that won’t understand: you just need to keep hope.”

Nouri, named the Dutch second division’s Player of the Season in 2017 after his stellar season with Jong Ajax, played 15 league and cup games for the senior team in 2016-17, scoring his first Ajax goal in a Dutch Cup tie.

In June, club general manager Edwin van der Sar admitted the club’s liability for Nouri’s condition. “We recognize our responsibility and liability for the consequences of this,” the former Manchester United goalkeeper said. “For a long time, we were convinced that Abdelhak had received the best possible care on the field.”