Treble winner Dante leads Nice to safety in his last game before retirement at 42

OGC Nice Secures Mid-Table Finish with 4-1 Win as Dante Ends Career at 42 OGC Nice confirmed their place in Ligue 1 with a 4-1 victory over Saint-Étienne on the final matchday of the 2023-24 season. The result came at the Allianz Riviera, where 42-year-old captain Dante played 78 minutes in his last professional appearance before retirement. The Brazilian defender, who won the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with Bayern Munich in 2013, helped anchor the back line as Nice avoided any relegation concerns and finished in mid-table. The match was played without spectators because of ongoing stadium restrictions. Nice took the lead through a first-half penalty from Terem Moffi. Saint-Étienne equalised briefly, yet goals from Gaëtan Laborde, Sofiane Diop and a late strike from a teammate restored and extended the advantage. Official Ligue 1 statistics recorded Dante with four clearances and five successful duels out of seven.

The Match at the Allianz Riviera

The fixture served as the last outing of the campaign for both sides. Dante started and was substituted in the second half after completing the bulk of the contest. His presence in the starting line-up came after he had been named captain for the day. The 4-1 scoreline removed any lingering uncertainty over Nice’s league position and produced a comfortable margin on the final day. Club president Jean-Pierre Rivère spoke to the squad in the dressing room after the final whistle. He stated that Dante had given everything to the club and to football, adding that the defender’s leadership had secured the points needed on the day. The comments were reported by L’Équipe.

Dante’s Performance and Statistics

Dante’s contribution was measured in both defensive actions and leadership. He completed 78 minutes before leaving the field, recording four clearances and winning five of seven duels according to the post-match data released by Ligue 1. These figures reflect the role he played in maintaining structure at the back during a match that required Nice to respond after the equaliser. The veteran’s experience proved useful on a day when the team needed stability. His substitution in the second half allowed younger players to see out the result, yet the platform he helped establish remained intact.

Career Path and Time at Nice

Dante Bonfim Costa Santos began his European career at Ajax before moving to Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. His most decorated spell came at Bayern Munich, where he started in the 2013 Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund. He joined Nice in 2016 and stayed until retirement, making more than 200 appearances across two spells with the club. Ligue 1 records show he featured in 28 matches during the 2023-24 season, starting 24 of them. The campaign included three different head coaches before the side stabilised under Franck Haise. Dante’s consistent presence offered continuity during that period of transition.

Next Steps After the Final Fixture

Nice will now prepare for the 2024-25 season without the long-serving defender. The club’s mid-table finish provides a foundation from which to build, while the departure of the captain marks the end of an era that began in 2016. The focus shifts to integrating new personnel and maintaining defensive organisation in the coming months.

By Dante Williams, Staff Writer