It is a real nightmare that the inhabitants of the Gironde are living at the moment. For several days, huge fires have been ravaging the region day and night, destroying entire hectares of forest in a matter of minutes. Faced with this disaster, the firefighters are trying what they can to stop the fires, but despite this, many places have been destroyed, like the surrounding campsites, five of which were burned to 90%. Among these, we find the Pyla-Camping, whose co-owner is none other than Matthew Valbuenathe French footballer who plays for Olympiakos.
From Greece where he lives, the native of Bruges (Gironde) confided in the Parisian on this campsite that he has owned since 2013 with a partner and fatalism is in order. “These are terrible images and it is very sad to see these hectares and hectares of forest go up in smoke. This Monday day was dreaded with the heat and strong gusts of wind which did not help”explains the one who has long been in dispute with Karim Benzema in the case of the sextape.
It is a great sadness. I have a hard time realizing that there is nothing left today
Stunned by the images he was able to see and the damage caused by the fires that hit the region, Mathieu Valbuena is in shock. “It’s a great sadness. I find it very difficult to realize that there is nothing left today. I never could have imagined it would go this far. It is a classified site, which crosses borders with many French and foreigners who came to camp or simply see the Dune du Pilat. It hurts…”he blurted out, disgusted by the turn of events.
If he thanks the firefighters for the incredible work they have been doing for almost a week, the father of little Léa does not really have the morale. “It’s a wonderful site and it’s hard to watch these images of pine trees reduced to ashes. It hurts the heart and it is difficult to see the future in pink”he blurts out, before concluding on a note of optimism: “Time will allow us to rebuild. And we hope that the French will always come in great numbers because we have a very beautiful region”.
Find the interview with Mathieu Valbuena on the Parisian website.