Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo dedicated his goal during his team’s victory in the Western derby on Sunday evening against Nantes (3-1) to Alexis Beka Beka. The Nice player (22 years old) threatened to commit suicide last Friday from the top of a viaduct. The image, which was not broadcast during the match, was shared on Monday on the Stade Rennes social networks.
After celebrating his penalty achievement with his teammates, the PSG-trained player walked towards a camera and said: “Alexis, we all love you.” The 21-year-old former Lensois subsequently sent kisses to his former selection partner.
The two players, both from the Paris region, rubbed shoulders in the France Espoirs team under the orders of Sylvain Ripoll in October 2021. Kalimuendo’s support follows that sent by another young Ligue 1 player, Lensois Elye Wahi (20 years old), who paid tribute to Alexis Beka Beka after his goal during the victory of RC Lens in Strasbourg on Friday (1-0): “Before talking about football, I would like to have a thought for my friend Alexis Beka Beka, who has just experienced a complicated situation, confided the attacker. It was to give him all my support. Before the match, I thought about him a lot. Once on the field, I tried to ignore everything that was around.
On Sunday, Nice supporters sang songs of support towards their player during the reception of Brest (0-0). After expressing its relief, Nice called for respecting the private life of Alexis Beka Beka in a press release. “I ask that Alexis be respected, with care and love,” said coach Francesco Farioli at a press conference on Saturday.
