French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda announces retirement from international football
Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, runner-up in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, follows in the footsteps of Hugo Lloris.
Steve Mandanda, world champion in 2018 and runner-up in 2022 as the second goalkeeper of the French national team, announced that he is ending his international career at the age of 37, five days after the starter Hugo Lloris made the same decision.
"Today for me the French team is over," said the current Rennes goalkeeper, who has been an international player since 2008, at the press conference before the match against PSG on Sunday in the championship, stating that he feels "a lot of emotion and pride" for what he has experienced.
Mandanda, who has played 35 matches with the French national team, explained that he had made the decision "at the end" of the 2022 World Cup, in which France lost to Argentina in the final on penalties.
"I have had great moments with the French national team, for me it was a privilege and a joy to spend all that time. But at the age of 37, I think it's the right time. There are many players coming up behind me with great skills," said the historic goalkeeper of Marseille.
Mandanda's announcement comes five days after Lloris retired, his competition for 14 years in the goal of the 'Bleus', of which he was a substitute in the World Cup title in Russia 2018 and the runner-up in Qatar 2022.
Almost always behind Lloris (145 caps, record), Mandanda has been called up to the French national team 160 times since his debut in May 2008 and his last appearance, in the World Cup final, on December 18.
"This allows me to close the circle with Hugo. We started together, we finish together. I haven't had the same number of matches as him, but we have experienced a lot together," Mandanda said.
With the retirements of Lloris and Mandanda, the path seems clear for 27-year-old Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to take over. He did not make the squad for the last World Cup due to injury.
France begins their qualification campaign for the 2024 European Championship on March 24 against the Netherlands in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP