Official | Steve Mandanda retires at 40 | OneFootball

Former France international goalkeeper Steve Mandanda (40) has announced his retirement from the professional game. Mandanda was a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Stade Rennais last June. Speaking to L’Equipe, the 35-time France international has said that he turned down several opportunities to extend his career. Le Havre, Lorient, Guingamp, Brest and Montpellier were reportedly interested in his services.

“I needed to take my time to accept it, first of all, because it’s not easy, but yes, I’m calling it”, Mandanda adds. The goalkeeper, a Ligue 1 legend for his feats between the sticks and his longevity, featured 613 times for Marseille, a record in the club’s history. The Le Havre Academy graduate joined Marseille in 2007. Nine years later, he left OM to sign for Crystal Palace. But he only spent one season in South London to return to Marseille, where he featured for five more seasons.

Upon the expiry of his Marseille contract in 2022, no agreement was reached for a renewal, and Rennes secured his signing as a free agent. His final appearance in Ligue 1 was in Marseille’s Vélodrome, where the local fans paid tribute to him – a fitting end. Mandanda is the fourth 2018 World Cup winner with France to hang his boots for good, after Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami and Raphaël Varane.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval