The Oyonnax player, one of the protagonists of the Portuguese exploits at the Rugby World Cup 2023, leaves at the age of 29
Portugal: Pedro Bettencourt forced to withdraw for health reasons – ph. World Rugby
Portugal and Oyonnax center Pedro Bettencourt retires from rugby at just 29 years old. His club announced this in the last few hours with a message on social media X.
It was not his personal choice that pushed the player, who has made 25 appearances for his national team, to abandon the oval ball with immediate effect. Bettencourt had to announce his early retirement for health reasons. The Portuguese had suffered a head injury, not the first in his career, during the season and began the recovery process with the Oyonnax medical staff. Unfortunately in vain.
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Pedro Bettencourt, Portugal’s hero at Rugby World Cup 2023, forced to retire
“It wasn’t a simple decision but it was the most obvious – declared Pedro Bettencourt while saying goodbye to his club – I regret not having been able to say goodbye to the pitch and to the club as I would have liked but I will keep all the experiences, emotions and the human encounters I experienced during my stay at Oyonnax”.
Coach Joe el-Abd obviously added to the greetings, thanking the player who has worn the Oyonnax shirt since 2019: “He left his mark on the club as winner of the Pro D2 in 2023 and with his exceptional performances with the Portugal during the World Cup. He will always be part of the Oyonnax Rugby family and will have our support in this new phase of his life.”
Before joining Oyonnax, Pedro Bettencourt played for ASM Clermont Auvergne (2014-2016), US Carcassonne (2016-2018) and the following season for Newcastle Falcons. The centre played 25 games for Portugal and the 2023 Rugby World Cup, taking part in the historic world championship campaign of the Lusitanians, including the historic victory over Fiji by 24-23.
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