Happy Birthday Steve Mandanda!

Today marks the 40th Birthday of legendary Ligue 1 McDonald's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who is still plying his trade at the top level with Stade Rennais. But let's rewind and take a look at the last 20 years of the France international's career in French football.

Born in Kinshasa in the DR Congo, Mandanda was raised in Évreux, based between Paris and Rouen in Normandy. He would join the Le Havre academy and go on to make his debut for Les Ciel et Marine in 2005 at the age of 20. He would quickly establish himself as a senior number one in Ligue 2 BKT, appearing 67 times and quickly catching the eye of scouts and coaches across the elite for his clean handling of the ball and a positional maturity which was seen as ahead of its time.

Steve 'El Fenomeno' arrives at the Vélodrome

Then Olympique de Marseille would come calling for his signature, initially joining the club in 2007 on a season-long loan. Whilst he was initially signed as a youth prospect for Les Phocéens, Mandanda would be thrust into first-team action when a long-term injury struck first-choice keeper Cédric Carrasso. His early performances were more than convincing for Marseille, and he endeared himself to the supporters who gave him the nickname of "Il Fenomeno"

Under Didier Deschamp,  Mandanda lifted OM's first Ligue 1 McDonald's title in 18 years. In that season, he managed to keep 15 clean sheets and marshalled one of the league's tightest defences. In 2010 he would be handed the captain's armband after the departure of Mamadou Niang, a role that he would keep for the rest of his time in the Provence region.

Becoming captain at Marseille

As captain, Mandanda lifted three consecutive Coupe de la Ligue titles (2010, 2011, 2012) and two Trophée des Champions. He would lead Marseille out in the Champions League regularly, and was named as Ligue 1 McDonald's Goalkeeper of the Year on five occasions (2008, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018).

After a detour to the Premier League and Crystal Palace, Mandanda returned to Marseille and helped Les Olympiens reach the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final. By the time the Frenchman left Marseille in 2022, he counted 613 official appearances (the most in the club's 125-year history) with 207 clean sheets in all competitions.

After leaving Marseille, Mandanda has been between the sticks for Stade Rennais where he has made 85 appearances for the Breton club.

Joyeux anniversaire, Steve!

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