"It warms my heart" - Nice legend Dante honoured by club
In what is his final season as a professional footballer, 42-year-old club captain Dante was honoured by OGC Nice ahead of Saturday night's game against Paris Saint-Germain.
A trophy-laden career
Dante is not only simply a Nice legend. The former Brazil international has enjoyed a glittering career, notably at Bayern Munich, where he won the Champions League, as well as four Bundesliga titles.
When he arrived at the Allianz Riviera in 2016, he looked to be winding down his career, but far from it. He has made an impressive 325 appearances for the Ligue 1 McDonald's side, more than he has made for any other club. Despite suffering ACL injuries since joining Le Gym, he has become a symbol of longevity. But he is now going down the final straight. The Brazilian said at the start of the season that this would be his last. He has made 282 appearances in France's top-flight, including 19 appearances for Lille, who offered him a route into Europe back in 2004.
But it is in Nice where Dante has truly found a home. Despite all the changes over the years, the Brazilian has remained an ever-present, overcoming injuries and setbacks to remain a key player and one that is undroppable when available.
But with Ligue 1 McDonald's approaching the final sprint, Dante is now starting to wind down, and the headline clash against PSG brought all eyes on the Allianz Riviera, the perfect moment to pay homage to one of the club's greatest ever players.
A tifo for the Nice legend Dante 🇧🇷⭐️ pic.twitter.com/k5asgv46JE
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 21, 2026
A large tifo was displayed on the pitch pre-match, as the players walked out of the tunnel. "Thank you, Capi," it read, with several images of the iconic defender. Despite Les Parisiens somewhat spoiling the party, winning 4-0, Dante expressed his gratitude post-match.
"It warms my heart. It was a great emotion for me. I thank everyone for their admiration and respect for my work. I want to thank everyone for the homage," he said. However, there is still work to do.
Nice are embroiled in a relegation battle, with Claude Puel brought in with the objective of keeping the club in Ligue 1 McDonald's. The club remain on course to do so, even if Auxerre's impressive win over Brest (3-0) over the weekend keeps the pressure on. Consequently, Nice's gap to the relegation play-off spot is five points.
Dante's Nice stay extended?
At the end of the season, there will be the question of nominating a new manager at Nice. Of course, that could be Puel, brought in on an interim basis. But it could also be Dante, who has just completed his coaching badges. His post-career path is becoming clearer.
And could his new qualifications give him the chance to remain with Les Aiglons beyond his playing career? "It would be logical. It is here that I have spent most of my years [as a player]. We have this love for one another," he said last month.
Dante added, "But we have to be aware of timings and of the needs. A role as a youth coach? I am open to everything, even if I still have things to learn." Over the years, he has taught so much, bringing his experience and guiding Nice in Europe. He may yet do so again, just not as a player.
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