He stays, they leave.
The coach of the Blues, Didier Deschamps, extended until 2026, perhaps hoped to start his new cycle by counting on the experienced Steve Mandanda, he who had just lost his number 1 goalkeeper and captain.
But the Rennes goalkeeper, after fourteen years in the France team, has chosen to follow in the footsteps of Hugo Lloris and bow out internationally this Saturday.
A decision that the Bayonnais "did not want".
“Steve Mandanda informed me of his decision to put an end to his international career (…) I obviously have to respect it even if I didn't want it.
She can't leave me indifferent given Steve's endearing personality, our common experience in the France team but also at Olympique de Marseille where he was, between 2010 and 2012, the captain of the team I was leading. .
“A prosperous period during which, OM had chained the coronations: a title of champion of France, three League Cup and two Champions Trophy.
"Only five goalkeepers have done better in the history of the Blues"
“Steve will have served the France team for sixteen seasons, not always in the role he would have liked.
But he has always shown great professionalism, total involvement and has always had the concern to put the collective forward.
Very appreciated by the players and the staff, very respected too, he was, in everyone's eyes, more than a second goalkeeper, ”underlines the coach, whose concern for prioritizing the proper functioning of the group is known.
It's @stevemandanda's turn to hang up the gloves with the French team 🧤🇫🇷
1️⃣6️⃣ years in blue
3️⃣5️⃣ selections
1️⃣ World Cup 🏆
Thank you for everything 𝘌𝘭 𝘍𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘰#priestrebleus pic.twitter.com/d6jpfmw5g
– French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) January 14, 2023
“If he appeared on 160 match sheets for the France team, we must not underestimate his 35 selections.
Only five goalkeepers have done better in Les Bleus history.
I insist on its longevity.
Steve played in 4 European Championship finals and 3 World Cup finals.
Reaching the highest level is extremely complicated, staying there as long as Steve even more so,” he adds.
Read also Before Tunisia-France, the Mandanda siblings tell Steve, the stainless goalkeeper of the Blues
Franck Raviot, goalkeeper coach of the France team, who accompanied the Rennes goalkeeper from Les Espoirs to the A, joined in this tribute.
“He will leave behind this strength, this radiance, this ability to be decisive, this charisma, this voice that reassures, protects and energizes a collective.
His sense of duty, his altruism, his respect for the hierarchy, his empathy and his benevolence towards the other guardians of the selection, testify to his greatness of spirit and his greatness of soul (…) I wish Steve the best possible success with his club and the greatest joys in his personal life, he sincerely deserves it.
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