Steve Mandanda has therefore just put an end to a rich and exemplary career, marked by longevity and regularity at the highest level. At 40, the world champion goalkeeper in 2018 preferred to say stop rather than extending an additional season, despite the interest of several Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. clubs. Free since his departure from Stade Rennais this summer, he took the time to think before deciding, explaining that he had declined many requests. This choice testifies to a rare lucidity: aware of everything he has accomplished in twenty years of professional career, Mandanda wanted to leave her head high, without forcing a year too much. A real pillar of the locker room, appreciated for his experience and his charisma, there will remain an emblematic figure of French football, in particular thanks to his years at Olympique de Marseille where he has permanently marked the history of the club. On the international scene, the former porter of the Blues will forever remain associated with the victorious epic of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, even in the role of lining behind Hugo Lloris. With 35 selections between 2008 and 2022, Mandanda embodied reliability and professionalism, becoming an example for his teammates and the young generations.
His performances have earned him to be crowned five times the best league 1 goalkeeper, a list that testifies to his excellence over time: “For the moment, it's not simple. The holidays were very complicated from mid-July when everyone resumed. It's a more lonely life: I get up, I play sports, I will play Padel but time does not pass quickly. And weekends are hard because I was still used to being gone so I watch a lot of matches. For once, I can't wait for my training to start at CDES in Limoges. I want to learn management and better understand what's going on behind the field“, He said in the columns of The team. In addition to the World Cup, he also added to his showcase a title in the League of Nations in 2021, and left the French team after the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Now retired, “Il Fenomeno” will be able to savor the inheritance left by two decades of consistency and success, during which he has managed to combine talent, work and leadership.
A maturely thoughtful choice
In an interview at The team Combined with sincerity, Steve Mandanda returned to the decision -making process that led him to hang up the gloves. The 40 -year -old goalkeeper says he needed time to accept the end, despite the many requests from France and abroad: “I needed to take my time to accept it, already, because it is not simple but, yes, I stop my career. I went on vacation with my friend, Didier (Digard, coach of Le Havre), and we both discussed. I had a great period of reflection because, if in my mind it seemed clear, I had a lot of requests. It's flattering, that means that leaders, coaches still think of you. And, whenever I said no, I wondered if I was not going to regret it. But by dint of saying no: Turkey too far, Saudi Arabia the same, in Ligue 1 for other reasons … I needed time to accept it. During last season, I knew I was going to stop. The arrival of the coach, Habib Beye (at the end of January), gave me the desire, I taught to appreciate my role of number 2. And then, the club decided not to renew my contract, then arrives the last match of the season at the Vélodrome».
The former porter of the Blues also reminded himself with emotion his ultimate appearance on the lawn, a special evening at the Vélodrome. An unexpected moment, decided at the last minute, which turned into one of the most beautiful scenes in his career, shared with his son and praised by his peers: “This moment was unique because nothing was prepared. All week long, the coach asked me if I wanted to play this match against OM. I replied “no” all week. For me, it was not necessarily the last match of my career. It was the last game of the season, the last game with Rennes. On the bench, I was sitting between Gauthier Gallon and Nico Lesage, the two in stereo who told me that I had to go. I decide at the last moment, and I had one of the most beautiful emotions in my entire career. The moment touched me even more at the end with my son who came to the field. I am facing the southern turn, Leo (Balerdi) gives me his armband: “You are the captain, you are at home here!” Frankly, I couldn't have a better end.». It is a striking figure of French football that hangs up its crampons this Wednesday.
