David Ginola has eased fears over his health following reports he was rushed to hospital on Thursday.
French newspaper Nice-Matin on Thursday afternoon reported the former Newcastle and Tottenham winger had suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in the day while playing football in Mandelieu, where he was attending a celebrity golf tournament.
Nice-Matin reported Ginola had been transferred from there by air to a hospital in Monaco, that he was intubated and ventilated, and was unconscious but in a stable condition.
Subsequent reports suggested the 49-year-old, who last year briefly put himself forward as a candidate for the FIFA presidency, had in fact only fainted.
And on Thursday evening, Ginola gave a reassuring sign as he posted a message on Twitter which included a joke about the 2022 World Cup.
Footy match in the midday sun, not very clever. Now having some tests done. Whoever voted for a World Cup in Qatar in the summer?
— David Ginola (@teamginola) May 19, 2016
He said: "Footy match in the midday sun, not very clever. Now having some tests done.
"Whoever voted for a World Cup in Qatar in the summer?"
Ginola, who won 17 caps for France and also had spells at Aston Villa and Everton, ended his career as a professional player with retirement in 2002.
Tottenham tweeted their best wishes, saying: "Good to hear @teamginola is doing well. Everyone at the Club wishes you a speedy recovery!"
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