"I want to be proud to finish with this group," assures Raphaël Caucheteux, on the eve of the last match of his career.

The end of a legend. Raphaël Caucheteux will bow out tonight, at the age of 40, after 18 seasons with Saint-Raphaël Var handball. The most applauded player, an undisputed favorite, the atypical left winger (1.98m) of all records hangs up his hat with the feeling of a job well done: "I can look at myself in the mirror and say thank you to all my teammates." The former international (20 caps) opens up as he puts on his navy blue jersey bearing the number 20 for the last time.

You're about to bow out, what's your state of mind?

It's a race to prepare everything (his All Star game) . For now, I don't realize that it's my last game. I'm super motivated to win. May this story have a happy ending. That would be the best victory of all. I want to finish the job, in style. I'll realize it after, during the ceremony.

Did you dream about that last match, the scenario, the last seconds?

No, I'm dreaming of a great victory. I've brought friends from the Montpellier training center, players from abroad... I want it to be a great celebration so we can leave with our heads held high. I want to be proud to finish with this group.

How do you feel about your season?

I had a great season. I set myself collective goals and individually I'm doing very well in scoring (162 goals). I could have finished as the best left winger, which shows I still have it in me. It's time to let the new generation succeed. My "padawan" Drevy Paschal will take over. I have all my confidence in him.

In addition to scoring goals, you are the seven-meter shooter. How did this specialty come about?

I've always taken penalties. I've been doing it since I arrived here. I love this duel, this stressful game. It fascinates me. Throughout my career, I've managed to gradually develop my game. Before, I tried things I didn't know how to do. I've gained confidence in myself. I've mastered my strengths on the wing, which is why I have a good success rate.

Your story at Saint-Raphaël began with a loan spell in January 2007 in the second division. Tell us about those early days...

I had just turned pro at Montpellier. I was offered more playing time here. The veterans like Vojinovic and Fortuneanu took me under their wing pretty quickly. It went well right away. Christian (Gaudin, then coach) had me play center and winger. This will make some people laugh, but I had a defensive role. This squad was fabulous...

In January, President Pascal Bacchi said: "We associate Saint-Raph with Raph." Are you aware of having left your mark on the club?

I'm aware of this because I try to best represent this club with humility and proximity. I invest a lot of myself on and off the field. I am the last of the Mohicans. I hope the players will maintain these values. When I arrived, we were in D2, we touched the stars, we doubted, experienced renewal... I saw all these developments that made the club grow.

How did SRVHB evolve?

On Saturday, you will see that we have always had great players in central defence with great center-halves like Morten Olsen, Dani Sarmiento… A central base with experienced players mixed with youngsters. We had a great president, Jean-François Krakowski, who did everything to make the club successful. He always put us forward to take the club to the highest level. He succeeded with this final (lost in the EHF European Cup, the C3) . I have images in my head in the locker room, victories as well as defeats…

Is quitting without winning a title in the top flight with this club your biggest regret?

This European final came down to one detail, in the final minutes... It was the biggest victory and the biggest defeat at the same time. It was euphoric. I'm disappointed not to have won any titles, but the good years will come. I wouldn't change what we experienced for the world.

You joined the French national team at the age of 32, winning a bronze medal at Euro 2018. Is this the highlight of your career?

Of course. It's my best medal. I deserved to be selected before. I made a speech saying that it would probably be the only medal of my career. At Montpellier, I wasn't an actor. It was a great adventure and I'm proud of the club that never gave up on me.

Was there a day when you almost left?

I had contacts with Paris, Montpellier, Barcelona. It almost happened with PSG. But I'm proud to have stayed for 18 years. It's a rare thing these days when people are tempted to go abroad for the salaries. I felt good there. I have no regrets. I had the French national team jersey and a European Cup final, all while being here, in Saint-Raphaël.

This season, you've been celebrated on every trip. How did that feel?

I feel proud of my career. It means I scored a goal in handball. It's a thank you for twenty years of work. It also represents the club because, if I'm the top scorer in history, it's also thanks to those who were around me. The greatest reward will be on Saturday.