The match of the 8e day of Ligue 1 between OM and Le Havre was marked this Saturday by the vibrant tribute paid by the Vélodrome stadium to its former last rampart Steve Mandanda. Freshly retired after three final seasons spent in the ranks of Rennes, the former Blues goalkeeper has just started a consulting activity on Canal+.
Visibly moved once again by the welcome at the Boulevard Michelet enclosure – five months after having already been celebrated there for his very last appearance in the Rennes cage – Steve Mandanda was able to give the fictitious kick-off of the evening meeting. Under the loud cheers of the Marseille public.
Number 30 retired
Earlier in the evening, OM management had published a press release to announce the withdrawal of the jersey number of its emblematic goalkeeper: 30. In the Olympian jersey, he will have played 613 matches, including 378 as captain, and achieved 195 clean sheets – including 177 in Ligue 1, the highest total for an elite goalkeeper in the 21st century. », recalls the Marseille staff.
“ Today, the club has decided to retire the number 30 that it wore so proudly for fifteen years. A rare gesture, worthy of his career, his loyalty and his influence in the success of OM for more than a decade. This decision also testifies to the deep imprint that Steve Mandanda left on his teammates, the club and its supporters, and the unwavering bond which now forever unites his name to that of Olympique de Marseille. The number 30 will no longer be worn. It will forever remain that of Steve Mandanda, goalkeeper, captain and Olympian legend. »
