The back of Toulouse Maxime Médard, given a standing ovation by the public at the Stadium when he entered the game during the victory against La Rochelle (23-16) on Saturday on the occasion of the 24th day of the Top 14, said he was "relieved » by the announcement, the day before, of his retirement at the end of the season.
"It's my decision, I was not necessarily pushed towards the exit", declared after the meeting at a press conference the 35-year-old player, who said he was "proud of (his) career".
“We are only passing through the clubs.
We must also accept to leave room for young people and not to do the year too much, ”he added.
“When you are a former player, you often want to push to the end.
I think it's more your ego talking and then you get angry with everyone.
Place for young people
Arrived at Stade Toulouse in 2000, Médard won the championship five times (2008, 2011, 2012, 2019 and 2021) and three times the European Cup (2005, 2010, 2021).
Called up 63 times for the France team between 2008 and 2019, he would have faced competition from the starting back of the XV of France Melvyn Jaminet and the Italian international Ange Capuozzo in the event of an additional season.
"I'm not going at 35 km / h, but I defend myself," he smiled.
“My big capacity is endurance and I know how to move without the ball.
It's a whole, the post-rugby also attracts me.
I did everything to prepare it properly”.
The man with the sideburns savored the lap of honor shared with his daughter on Saturday evening and the ovation of the Toulouse public when he entered the field around the hour mark. "It's always heart warming to hear the public be behind you,” he said.
“In 18 years with them, I think they got to know me.
They have always been behind me, in good and bad times.
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