Steve Mandanda, the long-serving France goalkeeper and a pillar of Marseille’s modern history, has announced his retirement at the age of 40.
The decision came after months of reflection. “I needed to take my time to accept it, because it’s not easy,” Mandanda told L’Équipe. “But yes, I’m stopping. I had a long period of reflection because I had a lot of calls, but I said no every time.”
Mandanda’s last contract, with Rennes, ended in July. He walks away after 19 professional seasons, 35 caps for France, and a World Cup winner’s medal from 2018.
Born in Kinshasa, Mandanda moved with his family to Normandy as a child. He began his career at Le Havre before his breakthrough came in 2007 with Marseille. Over 14 seasons in the south, he won six trophies, including the 2010 Ligue 1 title under Didier Deschamps.
“Steve was more than just a goalkeeper,” Deschamps once said of his former captain. “He was a leader, a reference point in the dressing room.”
Mandanda’s international career reflected both triumph and patience. He made his debut for France in 2008 but was soon overtaken by Hugo Lloris. For years, he remained the dependable understudy, featuring in squads for the Euro 2016 final, the 2018 World Cup triumph, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He drew the curtain on his international career in January 2023.
His only spell abroad came in 2016 with Crystal Palace, but an injury-hit year in England saw him return to Marseille after just one season. He later joined Rennes, extending his Ligue 1 story until this summer.
Tributes flowed in on Wednesday, with Marseille supporters recalling his composure and longevity. At the Stade Vélodrome, where he wore the captain’s armband for so many years, his name remains etched in the chants of the terraces.
Mandanda leaves the game not only as a World Cup winner but as one of the most enduring figures of French football.
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