For two months, “Facu” has started doing Isa again. Understand this third line capable of pushing down a plane tree with great shoulder blows or scratching a ball where a normally constituted human would not look. Jostled by the competition at the start of the season, the Argentinian international (31 years old, 49 caps), at the end of his contract in June 2025, has relaunched.
Starting at kick-off against La Rochelle, the colossus (1.88m and 113kg) spoke. With sincerity. His love for Toulon, his break with the Pumas, his decisive year in the harbor, his desire to extend, the man with 144 matches (and soon 145, therefore) in the Toulon jersey reveals himself.
After a rather sluggish start to the season, where you were less decisive, you found a lot of play. Could you have doubted?
No. I always had these little teething problems… (smile). I'm more of the type to gain strength as the weeks go by. And when I start to feel better on the pitch, more confident, then I'm happy. This is the case at the moment.
Have you changed anything in your routine to become more efficient again?
No. In the end, the only thing that has really changed since the start of the season is that I was able to prepare with Toulon. For one of the very first times since I've been at the club. Maybe I had a little trouble taking it, but it was good. Last year, I decided to put the Argentinian selection on hold to concentrate 200% on Toulon. I wanted to be ready. And now I'm starting to see the results.
Was this decision to put the Argentinian selection on hold difficult to make?
Honestly, it was very, very hard. For several seasons, we have been talking about the mental health of athletes. For an international player, it's not easy to manage. After the World Cup, I was drained. Fatigue. The travels, the intense preparation, the pressure on my shoulders… Since 2022, honestly, it's complicated. I had too many things on my mind. I needed a break. And if I am at this level today, it is thanks to this choice. This year in Toulon is very important for me. For now, and for the future.
Before making your choice, did you talk with Pierre Mignoni? With the Argentinian coach?
Yes. I told Pierre [Mignoni] what I felt. And, above all, how I wanted to attack the season with Toulon. I also had Felipe Contepomi, my coach. He knows everything. I tried to be as sincere as possible. With myself already, and then with the people who matter in my rugby. It wasn't easy. When you take a break, you put your position, your place, on the line. But today I have a role to play here, in Toulon, and I am happy to have made this decision.
How did you end up saying to yourself: “Now, I need to take a break”?
-It was very personal. I felt like an accumulation. I have experienced complicated times in my private life. Afterwards, when I thought about it, I told myself that I was reaching 30, that I had played in three World Cups… there were too many things racing through my head. I know the efforts you have to make to be in the Pumas team. And today, I couldn't see myself being half and half between Argentina and Toulon. I love these two jerseys and I can't give it 50%. I knew that my season here would determine the rest of my career.
It's no secret, you are at the end of your contract with Toulon in June 2025. How do we manage this situation? How stressful is it?
I learned to deal with that with the Pumas. When you are an international player, you never know when your last match with the selection will be. Everything is questioned every time. So this year, I tell myself that each match in the Toulon jersey could be my last. Until I know more about my future, I will think like that. I will give everything for this club, as I always have done. There were good times and bad times, but I didn't cheat. I try to enjoy and not put pressure on myself. If I stay, it will be amazing. Toulon is a city, a club that I love so much. I would like to finish my career here.
Have you had discussions with Pierre Mignoni, Laurent Emmanuelli (sports director) or Bernard Lemaitre about your future?
We spoke at the start of the season but since then, I haven't had any discussions. With my agent, we wait to see what we do. We'll see how this year goes. But no decision has been made. Neither on the club's side, nor on mine.
How do you react when you read in the press that Zach Mercer, third line center with a profile similar to yours, would have signed for Toulon? Are you annoyed, sad, disappointed?
Of course you hear that, you say to yourself: “It's okay, they've made their choice. You need to start looking elsewhere.” When you tell yourself that an international player could arrive and that you are in your last year of contract, obviously you think. But it’s professional sport, that’s how it is.
This is not the first time that you have experienced an end of contract period in your career. But this one seems different…
She is. I am 31 years old. I will start to have another role in the team, with more experience. I knew a club that was very, very different when I arrived. There was no Campus, there was nothing. We grew up together. I want to continue wearing this jersey. And on the pitch, I still feel in good shape… and I have a few years in my legs (smile). But the decision is not mine. Me, I just have to be good on the pitch. Afterwards, it's up to the president, to Laurent [Emmanuelli] and to Peter [Mignoni] to decide.
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