Olympique de Marseille does not forget its legends. After three seasons at Stade Rennais, Steve Mandanda, the former Marseille goalkeeper, chose to hang up his boots for good last September.
The man with 613 matches played in the colors of Ciel et Blanc was honored by the club in a grandiose manner. First before the kick-off of the match against Le Havre this Saturday in Ligue 1, then with the decision to officially remove the number 30 from the jerseys available at the Vélodrome.
“The number 30 will no longer be worn”
“A young goalkeeper who arrived at Olympique de Marseille in 2007 from Le Havre, Steve Mandanda has, over the years, become a legend of the club. Under 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. Since the 1947-1948 season, he has been the player to have played the greatest number of Ligue 1 matches with OM.we can read in a press release.
“Today, the club has decided to retire the number 30 that it has worn so proudly for fifteen years,” said OM. “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. »
