France's Sekou Macalou publicly responds to retirement reports

France international Sekou Macalou has pushed back against reports that he has retired from professional rugby with immediate effect, insisting that any announcement about his future will come from him.

French outlet Midi Olympique reported that the Stade Français back-rower had informed team-mates on Monday that he was ending his career, despite remaining under contract with the Paris club until next June.

The report added that Macalou, 31, had reached an agreement with club management to stop playing immediately after a campaign disrupted by a persistent hip problem which severely limited his Top 14 involvement.

However, Macalou responded on Instagram by making clear that he has made no official announcement and criticised those who had spoken publicly about his future on his behalf.

“I’ve seen certain information circulating regarding a supposed end to my career,” he wrote.

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Bayonne

07:35

3 Oct 26

Stade Francais

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“As of today, I have made no official announcement regarding what comes next in my career.

“I therefore find it regrettable that some people feel entitled to speak on my behalf about decisions that are mine to make.

“The day I have something to announce about my future, it will come from me and no one else.

“Thank you for respecting that.”

Macalou has spent more than a decade with Stade Français after emerging through Massy, establishing himself as one of the most athletic and versatile forwards in French rugby.

Capable of operating across the back-row and, on occasion, on the wing, he is one of the game’s true hybrid players. He has won 20 caps for France and was part of the Stade Français side that lifted the European Challenge Cup in 2017.

His Instagram statement therefore leaves his immediate future unresolved, with Macalou rejecting the idea that a retirement decision has already been publicly confirmed.

For now, though, Macalou’s next move remains his alone to announce when he chooses.