Former Ajax prodigy Nouri returns home after 32 months in coma

Abdelhak Nouri is with his family at home after waking from a coma that lasted over two-and-a-half years.

The midfielder was a highly rated youngster at Ajax when he suffered brain damage following an on-pitch heart attack during a friendly in July 2017. Nouri, now 22, will be looked after in a house that his family has specially renovated to accommodate him.

“He sleeps, eats, sneezes, and burps but is very dependent,” Nouri’s brother, Abderrahim, told Dutch talk show “De Wereld Draait Door” on Thursday, with translation from BBC Sport.

“Some communication is possible, for example, raising eyebrows.”

Nouri, affectionately known as “Appie,” was a star of a promising Ajax generation featuring Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek, Justin Kluivert, and Kasper Dolberg. Some of his former teammates have adopted his old No. 34.

The Amsterdam-born playmaker represented various youth teams for the Netherlands and was part of the Ajax team that reached the Europa League final in the 2016-17 season.

“For sure we believe in a miracle; this is a tough test for us, but we will continue to do our best,” Nouri’s father, Mohammed, replied when asked if there could be a full recovery, according to Sky Sports.

“It is our intention Appie will get better. We just have to take care of him as best we can.”