A few days ago, he had taken part in the Parisians' trip to Aix, then to Chambéry, without returning to the house.
In Savoy, he had participated in the warm-up without appearing on the scoresheet.
But it's time, the boss is back: Nikola Karabatic played again this Sunday, almost seven months to the day after leaving the field in Ivry.
It was mid-October and the boss had come out limping, the victim of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
A serious injury that has ruled out the prisoner of the Blues and Paris, aged 37, for a very long time.
It was the longest unavailability of his career.
But this period is behind him.
19 ': that's it @NKARABATIC is playing his first minutes since October 17th and he's already scoring his 1st goal!
12-10 #PSGSRVHB pic.twitter.com/PnLay0D05o
- PSG Handball (@psghand) May 30, 2021
The former Barcelonan was obviously not in the major seven of PSG for the reception of Saint-Raphaël, led by the former Parisian, Xavier Barachet.
The eldest Karabatic bided his time with the pleasure of finding himself on the bench rather than on the other side of the room, in the gallery with a mask on his nose.
He came into play after twenty minutes and scored his first goal, to allow Paris to lead 12-10 (19th).
"It is a great pride to see him again," rejoices Nedim Remili.
You can see the difference as soon as he enters the field.
He played 12 minutes, I think, and people don't realize how much he brings.
He brings us so much, with him the defenders are afraid.
He is the best player of all time!
"
The title of champion of France in a few days?
By scoring three more times ten minutes later, then at the end of the match, the boss participated in the easy victory (44-32) of the Parisians against the Var club, joined by goalkeeper Vincent Gérard at the end of the match. 2021-2022 season. Easy, but which took quite a long time to take shape. At the break, Paris had only two goals ahead (20-18). But in the last half hour, the steamroller started up and nothing could stop it. The advance of Paris rose beyond ten goals ten minutes from the end (38-29, 52nd).
Paris showed its strength with good Dylan Nahi, Nedim Remili or Mikkel Hansen.
Bodes well for two weeks before the Final Four, on June 12 and 13 in Cologne, where PSG will set out to conquer the Champions League which it lacks.
The infirmary - at this hour - is empty and all the lights are green.
“We did not have complete control of this match, thinks Nedim Remili.
But what was really good was our reaction of pride to give us an easy end to the game.
"
It's over !
Paris equalizes its record of goals scored in a match with these 44 achievements and needs only one point to formalize its 8th title of Champion of France!
#PSGSRVHB pic.twitter.com/9CGDxUifc6
- PSG Handball (@psghand) May 30, 2021
But before leaving for Germany, Paris has a mission to complete: to be champion of France for the 8th time.
This should be done on Wednesday, June 2 in the event of a victory or even a draw, at the end of the next and penultimate league match at Cesson-Rennes.
Paris only needs one point to be sacred.
“We hope to be champion there to validate our great season which was not easy.
It is a great pride to be there: to have won the Coupe de France, to be perhaps soon champion and to go to the Final Four.
Now we have to conclude it, ”Remili wishes.
For Paris, the Starligue will end for good on Friday, June 4, with the reception of Nîmes and the champion's trophy which should not leave the capital.