Stade Rennais goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has confirmed his international retirement during the Brittany side’s press conference this Saturday. L’Equipe reported this morning that the 37-year-old shot-stopper had called time on his international career. The former Marseille and Crystal Palace keeper has represented Les Bleus 35 times, the last of which during France’s dead rubber loss against Tunisia (0-1) during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
https://twitter.com/equipedefrance/status/1614269610064285696
In a press conference this Saturday attended by Ouest-France, Mandanda stated he took this decision in the wake of France’s defeat against Argentina in the World Cup final. “I had great times with the French national team. It has been an honour and a joy to experience these moments but, at 37, it was time.“
Mandanda’s decision comes days after Hugo Lloris’ announcement, the two having been France’s number one and two respectively for over a decade. “We’re closing the loop with Hugo. We started together, we finished together.” When asked about his favourite memory with the blue jersey, Mandanda obviously answered with the 2018 World Cup win in Russia. “We achieved something magnificent with an extraordinary squad. I’ll always be grateful and proud to have taken part in all these times with France.”
Steve Mandanda is set to start this Sunday as Stade Rennais host league leaders PSG for Ligue 1 gameweek 19.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
