Mathieu Bastareaud has said he will take time to reflect after rupturing tendons in both of his knees during a Top 14 match at the weekend.
Former France centre Bastareaud, who now plays as a number eight, was forced off just four minutes into Lyon’s encounter with Toulon, having suffered serious injuries to both of his knees.
Bastareaud, who used to play for Toulon, was applauded by the away fans at the Stade Mayol while he was being carried away on a stretcher by medics.
The 33-year-old revealed on Twitter that he had suffered serious injuries to both of his knees and thanked fans for their kind messages.
.@BastaOfficiel quitte Mayol sous les applaudissements du public présent. Courage Mathieu ! #TeamLOU pic.twitter.com/nLX1k3mRAg
— LOU Rugby (@LeLOURugby) November 27, 2021
‘I will give myself time to reflect.’
“Unfortunately the results of the MRI show a quadricep tendon rupture in the two knees,” Bastareaud tweeted.
“It’s an enormous blow. Now, it’s a long road in front of me and I’m surrounded by my family, those close to me and the club. I will take the time needed to get back to being 100%… and for my future, I will give myself time to reflect.
“I also wanted to thank you all for your messages of support during these last days.”
— Mathieu Bastareaud (@BastaOfficiel) November 29, 2021
Mathieu Bastareaud’s career to date.
The formidable French battering ram has had a storied career so far, having won 54 caps for his country over a period of 10 years, the last of which came against Italy in the 2019 Six Nations.
Bastareaud started out his club career with Massy in Federale 1, the third tier of French rugby, before quickly securing a move to Stade Francais in the Top 14.
He joined Toulon in 2011 and won three Heineken Champions Cup titles with the club, as well as one Top 14 title, before leaving in 2019 to join Lyon.
Bastareaud briefly left Lyon to join Rugby United New York to play in Major League Rugby in 2020, before rejoining Lyon last season on a two-year contract.
The 33-year-old has just one year left on his contract and unfortunately could struggle to return to the pitch before the season is over, in what could be his last year in professional rugby.