Raphael Varane, a World Cup winner with France and a former defender for Real Madrid and Manchester United, announced his retirement from football at 31 years old on Wednesday. This decision comes after he faced a serious knee injury, ending a remarkable career.
Varane played 93 matches for France between 2013 and 2022. He was instrumental in their 2018 World Cup win in Russia and helped the team reach the finals again in Qatar four years later.
Club Journey
Varane started his club career at Lens in Ligue 1 before moving to Real Madrid in 2011. During his time there, he made 360 appearances and earned three La Liga titles along with four Champions League trophies.
In 2021, he joined Manchester United, where he played 95 matches across all competitions. Varane contributed to the team’s success, helping them win the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. In July, he transferred to Serie A club Como but suffered a knee injury during his debut.
Reflections on Retirement
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A post shared by Raphael Varane (@raphaelvarane)
In an Instagram post, Varane reflected on his journey, saying, “I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and now it’s time to stop and hang up my boots after winning a trophy at Wembley,” referring to United’s FA Cup victory in May.
He expressed that he has no regrets about his career, stating, “I have won more than I ever dreamed of, but I am proud that I always stayed true to my values and tried to leave every place better than I found it.”
Future Plans
Varane mentioned he would stay with Como in a non-playing capacity. “A new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como, just without my boots and shin pads. I look forward to sharing more about this soon,” he said.
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