English footballer Fabrice Muamba began breathing independently and responding to family members Monday, showing significant signs of recovery two days after suffering a cardiac arrest and nearly dying during a match. The 23-year-old Bolton midfielder collapsed on the pitch just before halftime at Tottenham Saturday, and initial attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. His heart only started beating on its own again later in the hospital. For two days, amid an outpouring of global support, Muamba remained critically ill in intensive care of a heart attack unit and his long-term prognosis was uncertain. But the Congo-born player made progress throughout Monday, with medics no longer describing his condition as “critical” by the evening. “He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening,” Bolton and the London Chest Hospital said in a joint statement. “He is now able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator. He has also been able to recognize family members and respond to questions appropriately. These are all positive signs of progress.However, the medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him.” Muamba's friend, Curtis Codrington, said the family told him the player was speaking “minimal words in English and French, which is better than nothing.” The player's fiancee reflected that optimism on Twitter. “All your prayers are working people thank u so so much,” Shauna Muamba tweeted. “Every prayer makes him stronger. To God be the glory.” The couple, who have a 3-year-old son, Joshua, became engaged on Valentine's Day. Bolton manager Owen Coyle said that Muamba had been going through a “brave fight.” “There is a real hope he can come through this. When situations like this occur there is a real strength, a real unity, a real togetherness ... that has given (the family) an incredible energy,” Coyle said outside the east London hospital. “That source of energy that everyone is giving off is really bringing them together as a family, and that is important for Fabrice's well-being.”
