Benjamin Bourigeaud: A Goodbye to Remember (?)
With rumors linking the Rennes midfielder with a move away from the Roazhon Park, Bourigeaud potentially treated Rennes fans to one final performance to remember as they beat OL 3-0
“Obviously, I have desires and I am reflecting. In my head, decisions have been taken, but since there is no agreement… I am trying to enjoy the present as much as possible. We’ll see what the future holds.”
These were the words from club legend Benjamin Bourigeaud as he explained his future plans this upcoming season speaking to Luke Entwistle and Get French Football News.
According to GFFN, he is linked to Qatari side Al-Duhail who’s manager is Christophe Galtier (who was accused and arrested of making racist comments towards Muslim players, then acquitted in court).
While there has been no concrete bids from Qatar, Bourigeaud has made no statements about staying with Rennes definitively, his performance vs. Lyon on the opening day of the season was a worthy ending to a splendid career in Bretagne.
The midfielder was a the heart of every action as he looked to find his attackers with decisive through balls.
He was purposeful with every movement as he bombed up and down the pitch and broke up play when he had to.
His efforts were rewarded as his freekick found its way into the back of the Lyon net as Rennes went up 1-0.
As the match went on, Rennes poured it onto Lyon. A mistake by Lyon centerback Moussa Niakhate send Amine Gouiri in to make it 2-0.
Rennes found so much space in behind that Lyon could not cope.
Time after time Rennes found themselves in good positions to score and midfielder Ludovic Blas should have made it 3-0.
Bourigeaud was completing dribbles with ease and making clearances in the process as Lyon looked to get back into the match.
Rennes Keeper Mandanda saved a penalty by Georgi Mikautadze.
Bourigeaud was brought off towards the end of the match and was met with a rapturous applause with his goodbyes indicating that a move might be imminent.
For the past seven years, Bourigeaud was at the heart of all the recent success Rennes has had.
He was the club’s primary freekick taker and also took penalties.
Over his entire Rennes career, he scored over 52 goals in the league and assisted 20 in the process.
He played a big role in the club’s first Coupe de France title in 2018-2019 under boss Julien Stephan (who, coincidentally, is now the boss again after a stint at RC Strasbourg).
He’s been a valiant servent to the club and has helped the club propel itself to new heights domestically and in Europe.
If this is to be his last match wearing rouge et noir, then Saturday was a proper goodbye to Bretagne. He has earned the right to move.