Metz's Tahirys Dos Santos Returns to Training After Severe Burns
FC Metz has shared a positive update on the condition of 19-year-old defender Tahirys Dos Santos, who was seriously injured in a fire in Switzerland earlier this year. The club has confirmed that Dos Santos has returned to light training, marking a significant step in his recovery. The player posted a photo from the club's training centre, signaling a major milestone in his rehabilitation.
The young defender, along with his partner, was one of 116 people seriously injured in a devastating bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Day 2026. The tragic fire at the 'Le Constellation' bar claimed the lives of 41 people. Dos Santos suffered third-degree burns and required a skin graft as part of his extensive treatment. He was hospitalised for several months with his partner, Colline, who was also injured in the fire.
Dos Santos, a product of Metz's youth academy, had made a single Ligue 1 appearance for the first team in the 2024/25 season. The club has stated that his return to the training pitches is a significant and positive step, but his rehabilitation is ongoing. The club's medical and performance staff are managing his reintegration carefully, with no current timeframe for a competitive return to the pitch.
According to a club spokesperson, the focus remains entirely on Dos Santos's long-term health and well-being. The club has provided extensive support to the player and his family since the incident, a commitment that will continue throughout his recovery. The player's return to the training ground, even for light work, is seen as a hugely positive psychological and physical milestone for the player and the club.
This news provides a rare piece of positive news for FC Metz, who are currently battling to avoid relegation from Ligue 1. The club has been supportive of all those affected by the fire, and the return of Dos Santos, however gradual, is a moment of significant encouragement for the player, his family, and the entire club community. The process will be patient, with the club emphasising that his health and full recovery are the only priorities.
