Good news for Usap supporters! Mathieu Acebes remains until 2023 with the Sang et or. An announcement that reassures supporters as this week Karl Chateau, another leader, leaves the Catalan club. One more year in Perpignan, it was obvious to the Captain.
France Bleu Roussillon: Why this choice to stay in Perpignan?
Mathieu Acebes: For the simple reason that it was the most obvious choice in my head. My family feels very good in Catalonia, I’ve been here for six years, it will be the most important club of my career. I feel good there, I feel like at home. I didn’t want to ask myself too many questions. I tried to sit down with my wife, we talked. For us it was the most obvious choice.
Personal and professional decision too, I imagine?
Yes, my sporting ambition is clearly linked to Usap. The club is doing everything to stay at the highest level and this will depend on our sports results. It is important for us to maintain the club this year. It will be very difficult and I have been saying it from the start, but I hope that we will get there to have good days at USAP in the years to come.
At 34, how do you feel physically?
You know, there are a lot of people who ask me about my age. It makes me laugh a little. From the moment we pass a certain age, we are immediately cataloged as “old player broken everywhere”. Today, with my physique, I am fortunate to have been able to link seasons and matches and to have played often. In recent years, I have had a problem with pubalgia, adductor muscle and underwent an operation which did me a lot of good. I feel very good. There is no question of age. If I decide to stay another year, it’s to play, to perform well and not to number.
Your extension coincides with the departure from Karl Château which goes to Colomiers. Was it to reassure the supporters?
No, and then it’s not me who manages the communication. Karl’s departure touches us all, because he’s an important player in USAP’s later years. Now we are all aware of the situation when we are a professional rugby player. You can quickly move from one club to another. It is a high level sport which is cruel. I’ve been there too, talked to Karl about it. We must move forward, look for the positive. And the USAP club will always go ahead with or without me, or without others. The institution is more important than the people.