Steve Mandanda

Steve Mandanda Mpidi (French pronunciation: ​[stɛv mɑ̃dɑ̃da]; born 28 March 1985) is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille, where he is captain, and the France national team.

Mandanda has spent most of his professional career with Marseille, making over 500 appearances across all competitions in two spells with the club, and was voted Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year five times.

Since his debut in 2008, Mandanda has represented France at six international tournaments: four UEFA European Championships (2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020) and two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2018), winning the latter tournament.

Club Career

Early career

Mandanda was born on 28 March 1985 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire), but he moved with his family to Evreux, France when he was two years old. He practiced boxing before joining the local team ALM Evreux at age nine.

Le Havre

Mandanda made his league debut for Le Havre in August 2005, and did not concede a goal until his fourth match. He played 30 league matches in the 2005–06 season and 37 in 2006–07, with his performances attracting the attention of other clubs. Following an unsuccessful trial at Aston Villa prior to the 2007–08 season, he joined Marseille in summer 2007.

Olympique de Marseille

At the start of his first season with Marseille, Mandanda was regarded as an understudy to first choice keeper Cedric Carrasso. However a knee injury ruled Carrasso out for six months, leaving the way clear for Mandanda to become a regular fixture in Ligue 1, Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. On 5 March 2008, Mandanda joined Marseille on a permanent four-year contract.

At the end of Mandanda's final season at Marseille he was named as the club's Player of the Season. It was the second time that he won the award having previously done so in the 2007-08 campaign.

Crystal Palace This page also has a version in other languages :  Стив Манданда (russian)