Dimata: "I never thought about the end of the career"

INTERVIEWS After almost twenty months, Landry Dimata can call himself a footballer again. He played for an hour against KV Mechelen. "It was an emotional day," he said afterward. "It was so good to be back on the field."

"I'm very satisfied", Dimata told to RTBF after the match. "It was an exciting day today, but it was so good to be back on the field. I've come a long way and I had to work really hard to get back there. Fortunately my family and the club have always supported me. We gave them time to come back and even today we are doing things step by step".

During the last year and a half, there were many doubts about whether Dimata would ever be on a soccer field again. His return was repeatedly postponed and the silence surrounding his wound was cause for concern. "I never believed that my career was over", Dimata said. "I had my doubts, that's true, because it took a long time. but the support I received helped me. You have to be well sorrounded to get through that period".

Yesterday, Dimata played for an hour. What do you expect this season? "I see it day by day, game by game. I shouldn't get stuck in too many goals. That wouldn't be good."