This Wednesday, the Oyonnax club communicated on X the end, with immediate effect, of the career of Pedro Bettencourt. At 29, the Portuguese international (25 caps), victim of concussions, had followed a recovery process with the help of his club. In vain.
“It was not a simple decision but it was the most obvious… There is this regret of not having been able to say goodbye to the field and to the club as I would have liked but I keep all these experiences, these emotions and the human encounters throughout my time at Oyonnax,” reacted the Portuguese on the club’s official website.
“He will always be part of the Oyonnax Rugby family”
Oyonnax coach Joe el-Abd wanted to thank his player, who arrived in Ain in 2019. “He left his mark on the club by becoming French champion (winner of the Pro D2 in 2023) and with his exceptional performances with Portugal during the World Cup. He will always be part of the Oyonnax Rugby family and we support him in this new stage of his life.”
Having played for ASM Clermont Auvergne (2014-2016), US Carcassonne (2016-2018) and Newcastle Falcons (2018-2019), Bettencourt also participated in Portugal’s feat during the last World Cup ( winner against Fiji, 24-23). An “endearing, smiling and charismatic” man, according to his last club, who had to end his playing career prematurely.
