14 years in the Blues, for 35 selections. This is the international balance sheet of Steve Mandanda, who arrived in the French team in 2008 to succeed Grégory COUTT, but downgraded by the emergence of the Hugo Lloris phenomenon a few months later. This Wednesday, the first announced the end of his professional career at the age of 40, and he was notably invited to comment on his relationship with his eternal competitor, holder in the position for more than 10 years.
“”Competition and comparison were legitimate, it is high level sport. But, between us, there has never been the slightest problem. I think we both have a deep respect towards each otherretraces Mandanda. We were two fairly reserved boys, Hugo maybe a little more than me. And then, our mutual admiration grew up over our course in blue. What helped me, over time was that I was never really considered number 2. I still had a role to play in the group, I was from all the executive meetings, I discussed bonuses with tauliers, etc. Even if I lived badly to lose this place of number 1, I no longer wanted myself to myself. Easy, it would have been to accuse the media, the coach. No, no, the coach (Raymond) Domenech put me number 1. I did not have my shoulders at that time to assume this status.»»
