If several sacred Blues World Champions in 2018 have chosen to return to France this summer, Steve Mandanda decided to put an end to his career. The former Marseillais made it the announcement this Wednesday, putting an end to an adventure of more than two decades.
An emblematic guardian of Olympique de Marseille, the native of Khinsasa was also one of the faces of the French team. In fourteen years among the Blues, the former Le Havre has certainly compiled only 35 selections. The fault of Hugo Lloris, yet arrived after him in selection but which quickly established itself as the number one in the eyes of Raymond Domenech and then Didier Deschamps.
However, Steve Mandanda assures him: their rivalry has always been healthy. “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 other. We were two fairly reserved boys, Hugo maybe a little more than me. And then, our mutual admiration grew up over our journey in blue ”, he explained in a long interview with
The team.
Steve Mandanda does not want Hugo Lloris
“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 executives, I discussed bonuses with the tauliers, etc.”continued the man at the 546 matches in Ligue 1.
And Steve Mandanda to add by ensuring that he had no bitterness. “Even if I lived badly to lose this place of number 1, I really wanted it 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 ”he explained.
