Former France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has announced his retirement from professional football in a career that spanned 21years, Afrosport reports.
The 40-year-old’s career began at Le Havre in 2004 before spending 14 years at Olympique Marseille in two separate spells (2007-2016 and 2017-2022), making a total of 613 competitive appearances, keeping 199 clean sheets, and winning six titles including the French Ligue 1 in 2010.
He also played for Crystal Palace in the Premier League before ending the final three years of his career at Rennes between 2022 and July this year.
“After a 20+ year career, Iβve made the decision to end my professional player career,” Mandanda said in an Instagram post.
“From Havre to Marseille to Rennes to Crystal Palace, from my first steps to my last stops, I am proud to have carried the colors of my clubs but also the French team, up to the most beautiful award: a world champion title.
“Beyond trophies, I mostly remember values, encounters, emotions… None of this would have been possible without hard work, sacrifice… but also without the people who surrounded me and accompanied me along the way. Itβs impossible to quote everyone but youβll recognize yourself. Your trust and support have carried me through both joyful and challenging times.
“I thank all the supporters who supported me throughout my career and of course a special thought to the Marseille supporters who made my last on the pitch an unforgettable moment.
“Football has given me everything. Today I close this chapter with pride, gratitude and serenity… and I look to the next with excitement.
“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
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Mandanda was born in the DR Congo capital city of Kinshasa but moved to France at the age of two and played for the national team, earning 35 caps between 2008 and 2022.
He was part of the team that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and finished runners-up in Qatar four years later. He was also in the French squad that reached the Euro 2016 final on home soil.
