Steve Mandanda Mpidi is a French professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Rennes.
21 Facts About Steve Mandanda
2.
Steve Mandanda was born on 28 March 1985 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but he moved with his family to Evreux, France when he was two years old.
3.
Steve Mandanda practiced boxing before joining the local team ALM Evreux at age nine.
4.
Steve Mandanda made his league debut for Le Havre in August 2005, and did not concede a goal until his fourth match.
5.
At the start of his first season with Marseille, Steve Mandanda was regarded as an understudy to first choice keeper Cedric Carrasso.
6.
However a knee injury ruled Carrasso out for six months, leaving the way clear for Steve Mandanda to become a regular fixture in Ligue 1, Champions League and UEFA Cup matches.
7.
On 5 March 2008, Steve Mandanda joined Marseille on a permanent four-year contract.
8.
Steve Mandanda struggled to make an impact, being injured for most of the season.
9.
Steve Mandanda won a number of caps for the France national under-21 team and was named in the French squad for the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
10.
Steve Mandanda played in a friendly match with France B against Congo DR on 5 February 2008, in which he was substituted at half time, and his younger brother Parfait came on for Congo.
11.
Steve Mandanda started the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as France's first-choice goalkeeper, making his competitive international debut on 6 September 2008 in their opening qualifier against Austria.
12.
Steve Mandanda was a member of France's World Cup team, but did not appear in any of its three matches in the competition.
13.
Steve Mandanda was called up for UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
14.
Steve Mandanda was originally named in the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but sustained an injury before the tournament and was replaced by Stephane Ruffier of AS Saint-Etienne.
15.
Steve Mandanda was part of the squad that came runners-up at UEFA Euro 2016 on home soil.
16.
Steve Mandanda was part of the 23-man France squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
17.
Steve Mandanda played their goalless group game against Denmark, his debut tournament appearance, at the age of 33.
18.
On 14 January 2023, Steve Mandanda announced his retirement from international football.
19.
Steve Mandanda has three younger brothers, all of whom are goalkeepers: Parfait, goalkeeper of Charleroi and Congo DR national football team; Riffi, goalkeeper of Kongsvinger; and Over, who plays for Bordeaux.
20.
Steve Mandanda enjoys spending time with his family in the city of Marseille, where he lives.
21.
Steve Mandanda has earned the nickname "Frenchie" amongst his relatives for having chosen to play for the France national football team rather than Congo, his country of birth.