Still on crutches, a big brace in her right knee, Marie-Antoinette Katoto appeared on the Champneys Springs training ground this Friday evening. She took her place in the circle formed by the players and Corinne Deacon. While most embarked on a short jog, the Parisian striker, victim of a sprained right knee with anterior cruciate ligament injury and cracked meniscus, first discussed with the coach before sitting down to follow the rest of the session enjoying the sun.
In the evening, she published a few words on social networks to deliver her feelings. “Words are hard to find, disappointment and a certain form of rage run through me today,” she says. This knee injury is not easy to take, but you have to raise your head. I will take care of myself and, with the help of the doctors, get back on my feet as quickly as possible. Rage, yes, because we play football to live these competitions, for these very special moments. I want you to know that this Euro meant a lot to me. I wanted to proudly wear the colors of my country and do my best to dream of a coronation. That’s life. I would come back stronger and with ever higher goals. »
She ends with a few words addressed to her partners whom she will now encourage from a distance.
“It’s very hard, slips Sakina Karchaoui. It’s true that a competition like the Euro, she wanted to play it so badly. She gave us her support for the rest of the Euro, she will be behind us. She wants us to perform well for the competition”. The Parisian left side emphasizes that Katoto “is an important person in the eleven, a big individual who blends well into the collective”.
Ouleymata Sarr, the Paris FC player who replaced Katoto against the Belgians, testifies to this day a little apart for the Blues. “He’s a strong part of the team so it’s tough for us,” she said. We are almost sadder than her. We will still have to play three times more. Marie told us that it was part of the life of an athlete and that she had confidence in us. She will leave us, but she will stay with us. »
Sandie Toletti, too, takes advantage of the mixed zone of the day, to say in conclusion: “Marie took the floor to say that she would support us until the end. We also told her that we were going to think about her all the time. »