France: Eliaquim Mangala announces his retirement at 35

The former French international defender has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35. In a video released on Friday, the ex-player explained that the time had come to turn the page.

"It's the right moment. It's over. That's how I feel," Mangala revealed, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career, though one that was hampered in its later years by injuries that significantly limited his time at the top level.

Capped eight times for France, the central defender wore the colors of Standard Liège in Belgium, FC Porto in Portugal, Manchester City in England, Valencia CF in Spain, Everton FC in England, AS Saint-Étienne in France, Estoril Praia in Portugal, and most recently, Club Deportivo Oriente Petrolero in Bolivia.

Mangala will be particularly remembered for his €53.8 million transfer from Porto to Manchester City in 2014. At the time, this move made him the most expensive defender in history—a label which, according to him, never truly weighed on his mind.

Despite a career finale marred by injuries, the Colombes native says he is proud of his journey.

"No matter what happened with the injuries, I won trophies, traveled to many countries, learned new languages, and met a lot of people. It's a mix of so many beautiful things. It's wonderful," he said.

At 35, Eliaquim Mangala closes the chapter on his playing career, feeling that he has achieved far more than he ever imagined as a child.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.