An injury that may leave traces. The third international line of Lyon, Mathieu Bastareaud, left on a stretcher Saturday, November 27 in Toulon in the French rugby championship, suffers from a rupture of the quadriceps tendon of both knees. It fits “a time for reflection” about his future, he said Monday.
– Mathieu Bastareaud (@BastaOfficiel) November 29, 2021
The 33-year-old will be operated on on both joints Thursday by Doctor Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet at the Jean-Mermoz private hospital in Lyon, AFP learned from medical sources.
“I will take the time it takes to get back to 100% … and as for my future, I will give myself time to reflect”, Bastareaud said on social networks.
“It’s a huge blow. Now it’s a long road ahead and I know I’m well surrounded with my family, my relatives and the club”, added the player, who has already undergone two operations in less than a year.
Bastareaud had been operated on on his right hand in September after eight months of absence due, already, to a rupture of the quadriceps tendon of the left knee.
This knee injury required surgery, provided by Doctor Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet.
Saturday at the Mayol stadium, Bastareaud had collapsed alone, on a support, in the middle of the field during an attempt to break through. He had screamed in pain before being evacuated on a stretcher to the ovations of the Toulon public, whose jersey he had worn from 2011 to 2019.
Public tribute @RCTofficiel for @BastaOfficiel #RCTLOU pic.twitter.com/LTS9yaBWh2
– Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) November 27, 2021
“It’s sadder to have lost Mathieu than the match (19-13). To have lost him under these conditions, here in Mayol, it hurts us a lot (…) Both knees, it’s very rare . With all the efforts he has made, it hurts us a lot for him. “, reacted the Lyon coach Pierre Mignoni after the meeting. “I thank the Toulon public who gave him a great outing, but how sad is it!”, added the technician.