Retiring from football in 2014, Fodé Mansaré’s career didn’t end the way he wanted it too.
Back in 2011, the winger was running down his contract at Toulouse after six years of service there, and, according to the player himself, he was on the verge of signing for Newcastle United.
At 29 years of age, the Guinea international was entering his prime years, which were robbed by a cruciate ligament rupture injury suffered a couple of months before he was meant to head to St James’ Park.
Speaking to Africa Guinée, the now 37-year-old recalls what he describes as the ‘worst moment of his career’.
He said: “I was meant to sign for Newcastle, and there were two games before the end of the season. I’d negotiated a contract with Newcastle because I’d been in France since 1997, and I wanted to change environment.
“I was reaching the end of my deal, and that’s when I got injured. When you’re nearing the end of your contract, that’s when it’s the most difficult.”
Unfortunately for Mansaré, that injury all but ended his career.
After two years without a club, the forward tried to make a comeback with CP Cacereño in Spain’s lower divisions, but only managed one appearance over his five month stay with the club.
When they say everything can happen quickly in football, they aren’t wrong.
Instead of signing Mansaré that summer, Newcastle put together a deal for Sylvain Marveaux on a free and paid just over £3m for Gabriel Obertan.
