Raphael Varane, a French center defender, made the announcement on Instagram. With Real Madrid and the French national team, the 29-year-old has built an amazing resume, taking home four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018), the 2021 Nations League title, the 2018 World Cup, and other honors. He has experienced physical difficulties as well, though, and it is said that he wishes to take more time off throughout the season to rest. The World Cup final loss to Argentina marked the 93rd and final game for the Manchester United defender for France. He was replaced by Ibrahima Konaté in the 113th minute because he was worn out as the game entered overtime.
Varane claims that representing France for a decade had been one of the greatest honors of his life in a lengthy message posted on his Instagram account. He claims to have been considering a global retirement for a few months and came to the conclusion that it was time to put up his France boots. Then, twenty years later, he won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which he describes as one of the greatest and most unforgettable experiences of his life. He continues by recounting how, as a young child watching the 1998 World Cup, he dreamed of following in the footsteps of his childhood heroes.
Varane thanks Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the French national team, his colleagues, and most importantly, the French fans as he wraps up his statement. I will certainly miss our time together. But now is the right time for the younger generation to take up the slack. We have a bunch of young, skilled players who are prepared to step up and who merit the opportunity. You will be required. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Rapha.“