To mark the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ophélie Meunier presents The StrategistsA collection of exclusive interviews dedicated to leading figures in world football. For this fourth episode, she interviews Steve Mandanda, the iconic goalkeeper of Olympique de Marseille and World Cup winner with the French national team in 2018. The interview revisits the choices, turning points, decisive moments, and trials that have marked the career of the former international goalkeeper. The format, inspired by the game of chess, highlights the decisions made before kickoff, far from the noise of the stadiums and the trophies.
OM, the club that marked his life
Steve Mandanda discusses his deep connection with Olympique de Marseille, the club where he has become one of its most prominent figures. The interview revisits his signing with OM, a pivotal moment in his career, and the unique place he has held in the club's recent history. A benchmark goalkeeper, captain, and respected figure in the dressing room, Mandanda has embodied a form of understated leadership. His trajectory in Marseille has been built over time, under the constant pressure of extremely high standards and the need to maintain his performance season after season.
A final match with high emotional intensity
The episode also revisits his last match for Stade Rennais, played against Marseille. This moment takes on a particular significance in Mandanda's account: he finds himself facing the club that has shaped his professional and personal life. This encounter symbolizes the weight of a career marked by several strong identities: that of the OM player, that of the French national team goalkeeper, and that of the competitor who must accept transitions, departures, and the gradual end of an era.
The French national team, from starter to number two
Steve Mandanda also reflects on his unique role with the French national team. A long-time top-level goalkeeper, he has had to contend with stiff competition, notably from Hugo Lloris. The interview explores this particular position: that of a starter who became the number two, in a squad where every place counts and where the hierarchy demands a certain acceptance. Mandanda discusses what this situation entails mentally, athletically, and personally.
The injuries that changed his trajectory
The goalkeeper opens up about the injuries that have marked his career. One of them notably caused him to miss a World Cup. This reflection highlights the fragility of a sporting career, even at the highest level, where an injury can alter a player's selection, momentum, and place in history. Mandanda also discusses the consistency required to return, maintain performance, and preserve one's level despite setbacks. His career thus appears as a succession of decisions, comebacks, and adaptations.
The 2018 World Cup victory
World champion in 2018 with the French national team, Steve Mandanda reflects on this major title. This triumph represents one of the high points of his international career. The interview places this victory within the context of his personal journey: that of a goalkeeper who has experienced the demands of the highest level, the expectations surrounding the national team, internal competition, and the strength of a group capable of going all the way in a World Cup.
Florian Thauvin, a strong friendship
Steve Mandanda also spoke about his friendship with Florian Thauvin. The two men shared some significant moments, particularly in Marseille and with the French national team. This relationship holds an important place in Mandanda's story. It also highlights the importance of human connections in a footballer's career, beyond matches, transfers, and results.
His son Sacha, a guiding light in his choices
The interview also touches on the role of his son Sacha in his decisions. Mandanda explains the importance of his family in his career choices and how he envisions the future. This point adds a more personal dimension to his journey. Beyond the goalkeeper, the captain, and the world champion, the episode highlights the man facing decisions that also impact his family life.
Post-career depression
Steve Mandanda speaks for the first time about the depression he experienced after retiring from football. He discusses the difficulty of reinventing oneself after football, when the familiar landmarks that structured an entire life disappear: training, the locker room, competition, goals, the adrenaline of matches. This section is one of the most powerful moments of the interview. It sheds light on a reality that is often overlooked: the end of a sporting career is not simply the turning of a page. It can also usher in a period of doubt, emptiness, and rebuilding.
