Steve Mandanda, one of French football’s most enduring figures, has officially retired at the age of 40.
The former Marseille, Crystal Palace and Rennes goalkeeper, who lifted the World Cup with France in 2018, confirmed the decision after his Rennes contract expired in July.
Capped 35 times for Les Bleus, Mandanda spent much of his international career as Hugo Lloris’ understudy but was part of squads that reached the Euro 2016 final, the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, and the pinnacle moment in Russia 2018.
Mandanda’s club career was defined by his long association with Marseille, where he played 14 seasons across two spells, winning six trophies including the Ligue 1 title in 2010 under Didier Deschamps.
After a brief move to Crystal Palace in 2016, he returned to Marseille before finishing his playing days at Rennes.
Born in Kinshasa and raised in Normandy, Mandanda began at Le Havre before rising to prominence at Marseille in 2007.
Affectionately nicknamed “Il Fenomeno” by fans, he became one of the most respected goalkeepers in French football.
Having announced his international retirement in January 2023, Mandanda now closes the final chapter on a career that spanned nearly two decades at the top level.
