Tahirys Dos Santos remains in German hospital after Crans-Montana fire | OneFootball

Tahirys Dos Santos remains in intensive care after being badly injured in the New Year’s Day bar fire in Crans-Montana, and is awaiting repatriation to Metz. The 19-year-old left-sided defender had recently been included in Metz’s squad for the Coupe de France trip to Biesheim.

According to L'Équipe, he suffered second-degree burns on parts of his body, particularly the back of his head, and is being treated at a Stuttgart hospital before a transfer to Mercy hospital in Metz when possible. The blaze caused more than 40 deaths and 119 injuries.

His parents, of Cambodian and Cape Verdean origin, visited him on Friday alongside his brother and sister, with the club arranging their travel. His partner was also affected.

Dos Santos, from Mont-Saint-Martin, joined Metz at 13 and is on a trainee contract until June. He received his first senior call-up for the 3-0 win at Biesheim on 20 December, and academy director Francis De Taddeo regards him as emblematic, exemplary and a leader of the reserve side, sixth in National 3 Group E under Abasse Ba. He has captained the team and logged 10 matches and 842 minutes this season.

Last season he made 22 appearances in National 3 and nine for the U19s. Coaches describe a dynamic left-back or wing-back who relishes duels, works tirelessly and reads the game well, while still having technical areas to refine.

De Taddeo likens his profile to Matthieu Udol and voiced confidence in his character. Head coach Stéphane Le Mignan and captain Gauthier Hein expressed shock and support, calling it a difficult moment and highlighting his popularity in the dressing room.

Source: L'Équipe