Nice’s Dante planning 2026 retirement | OneFootball

OGC Nice centre-back Dante (40) plans to retire in two years, at the end of the 2025-2026 season. In an interview with AFP, the former Brazil international has promised he won’t pursue his career beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup in America. Dante Bonfim Costa Santos is tied with Les Aiglons with a contract set to expire in 2025. The former Bayern Munich defender joined Nice from VfL Wolfsburg in 2016. Dante has featured 282 times for the Ineos-owned Ligue 1 club, logging eight goals and 11 assists.

“Every time I’m entering the pitch, I say to myself it could be my final game. I have to make the most of it“, Dante said. The 2012-2013 Champions League winner with Bayern Munich aims to end his club career at the end of what would be a tenth season with OGC Nice. “I am aiming for June 2026 but I will not go beyond that. That’s confirmed. That means that if next year I play again, it will be my last season.”

OGC Nice will kick off their Ligue 1 campaign away at promoted side AJ Auxerre this Sunday.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval