Free since July 1 after the end of his contract with Rennes, Steve Mandanda announced his retirement at 40, ending a career as long as it is striking. Sacred world champion with the Blues in 2018, the goalkeeper left a strong imprint at Olympique de Marseille, of which he holds the record for the number of official appearances (613), and with whom he won the title of champion of France in 2010. His former teammate in Blue, Benoît Costil, paid tribute to him, greeting the player as much as the man.
“Just congratulations. A huge bravo and a huge thank youhe launched in theFull football on RMC. Thank you for everything, whether it is sportingly, for the man he is and the example he was. I had the chance to know him quite young because I was trained in Caen, he was in Le Havre so we were able to meet a few times in young matches. And then, in selection, therefore for almost seven years, and it was a great pleasure. ” He then added: “What goalkeeper, certainly one of the strongest I saw in terms of quality of hand, he has an exceptional technical quality. I would advise young goalkeepers to watch Steve to develop, progress. And then Steve, it's quiet strength. In selection, even when he did not play, it was the boss, he was present for everyone. ”
