I am a miracle, says heart bypass patient Ginola

Paris (AFP) – French former international star , who last month underwent a quadruple heart bypass, admitted on Monday that he was very lucky to be alive, saying: “I am a miracle.”

The 49-year-old ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle winger suffered a seizure three weeks ago while playing football before a celebrity golf tournament in the afternoon heat at Mandelieu, in southern France, and was airlifted to hospital in Monaco for a life-saving operation.

But such has been his fast recovery, Ginola is expected to commentate on the European Championships when they begin on home soil on Friday.

“I have so much appreciation to give to those who provided on-the-spot cardiac massage… who saved my life,” he told the broadcaster RTL.

“Today I am here — not in great shape — but I’m fine. 

“Death does not want me… it’s possible that maybe this was just not my time. “