Steve Mandanda ends his international career

A few weeks after the 2022 World Cup final, a page is turning in the history of the Blues. Steve Mandanda, 37, followed the path of his colleague Hugo Lloris by announcing his international retirement this Saturday January 14, 2023. “It’s a decision that was taken at the end of the competition, I had great moments with the France team.“, he said in a press conference. “Today, it’s time for me too, at 37, there are young people arriving. It also closes the loop with Hugo. It is with great pride that I experienced all this. Today, the France team stops for me. We talked about it with Hugo, we came to the same decision. Me, it happens logically, I lived many seasons, I am also older“, he continues. “The France team is what you can see from above, I touched what is best with the world title.“

An exceptional career in the French team

After proving himself at Le Havre Athletic Club, Steve Mandanda honored his first selection for the France team against Ecuador before being chosen by Raymond Domenech to participate in Euro 2008. Although he was number 3 in the hierarchy of goalkeepers, the French international did not participate in any match of the competition since France was eliminated in the first round. Following the international retirement of Grégory Coupet and Sébastien Frey, Steve Mandanda became number one in the hierarchy of goalkeepers ahead of Cédric Carraso and Hugo Lloris before losing his place in favor of the latter, who will have 145 selections in the national team. France. If he was initially retained in the list of 23 days called to play the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he had to forfeit following a neck injury. But four years after his absence from the World Cup, won by Germany, the French goalkeeper is called up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. At the end of the competition, which takes place in Russia, the French team is crowned world champion after its victory against Croatia.

Hugo Lloris ends his international career

Before Steve Mandanda, it was Hugo Lloris who had created the surprise earlier this week by announcing the end of his international career. “There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the hand. I don’t want to make it my own, I’ve always said and repeated that the France team doesn’t belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that’s the case, me first. I think that behind the team is ready to continue, there is also a goalkeeper who is ready“, he detailed in an interview with The Team. “I prefer to go out being at the top than to wait for a drop in speed, or too much competition. There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and my children. ” After this shock announcement, many players of the France team greeted their former captain on social networks, while others paid tribute to him in a video, which will be broadcast this Sunday in Telefoot. Hearing the tender thoughts of his former teammates, the father of the family could not hold back his tears.

Article written in collaboration with 6Médias