Isaksen: ‘I was going crazy ‘ during 2 weeks of isolation after illness at Lazio camp

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gustav Isaksen of SS Lazio during the UEFA 2024/25 Round of 16 match between SS Lazio and Viktoria Plzen training session at the Formello sport Centre on March 12, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Lazio forward Gustav Isaksen reveals he was ‘going crazy staring at the ceiling’ when suffering from glandular fever, as he was put into total isolation. ‘My body was totally wrecked.’

This illness is traditionally suffered more by teenagers, where it is also known as mononucleosis or mono, but the 24-year-old found out just how damaging the symptoms can be even for a professional athlete.

It was during pre-season training that the Denmark international started to feel unwell and it was not clear at the time what he was dealing with.

“Suddenly, after a training session, I felt like my body was totally wrecked, so I went for a massage and hoped it could relax me a bit,” Isaksen told TV2 in Denmark.

“While I was lying on the massage table, I started to feel incredibly cold. At first, the medic thought it was just a sore throat, but I kept on feeling worse. When the test results came back, I was immediately placed into isolation for two weeks at the Lazio training ground, where I was constantly monitored by a doctor.

“They were all very careful, as they were afraid I could be contagious for my teammates, so no risks were taken. It was hard, as I had a fever and my throat was so swollen that I could hardly swallow.”

Isaksen struggled during total isolation

The time in isolation proved very difficult for Isaksen to deal with and harked back to a few years ago during the pandemic, when everyone was in lockdown.

“I was going crazy lying staring at the ceiling for 14 days, without knowing when I could return to normal life. It was like being back in covid times, I was totally alone. Many messaged and called to say hello, but it was really difficult.

“When the fever went down, I thought it might be over, but it wasn’t. I just wanted to go home, but I managed to work out an agreement with Lazio that my mother could come and stay with me. That helped a lot, but I still had to stay away from my Lazio teammates over the fear of contagion.”

This is an illness that has long-lasting effects, as sudden fatigue can go on for months or even years, which makes it particularly worrying for an athlete.

It has significantly stalled Isaksen’s progress with the squad and new coach Maurizio Sarri, who he barely saw for the first few months of training.

“I saw the friendlies played without me, the season was getting closer, and I was stuck here. Some days I’d lean out on the balcony and wave to Oliver Provstgaard, who could get close enough to talk a bit, but nothing more than that.

“It was the club that told me to stay in Rome during the last break for international duty, so I could recover physically and also work with Sarri on tactical elements. I feel in good shape now and can’t wait to get back to playing for Denmark.”

Isaksen made his comeback for 10 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo on September 14, then played 23 minutes against Torino in Saturday’s chaotic 3-3 Serie A draw.

He had also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur over the summer.