Steve Mandanda announces retirement at 40

France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has officially announced his retirement from football.

The veteran born in the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed the decision on Wednesday, September 10.

Mandanda, widely regarded as a legend at Olympique Marseille, admitted it was a difficult choice to make.

“It took me time to come to terms with it, especially because it’s not easy, but yes, I’m quitting,” he said.

The 2018 World Cup winner has been without a club since leaving Rennes on July 1, carefully weighing his options before finally deciding to hang up his gloves.

“I thought about it for a long time because I received many calls—Le Havre, Lorient, Guingamp, Brest, Montpellier—but I refused every time,” Mandanda explained.

Mandanda leaves behind an illustrious legacy, most notably with Marseille, where he made a record 613 appearances, the most in the club’s history.