Garima Sharma, Pune
At the age of 31, France’s World Cup defender Raphael Varane announced his retirement from football via an Instagram post on Wednesday after suffering from a knee injury during his debut for Como in Serie A.
Varane has been a part of many tournaments including the UEFA Euro 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 after achieving 93 caps and five goals for Les Bleus. He also had a crowning achievement during the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia.
He won his first cap for the French National Team in 2013. During his 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool he was recognised as the best defender in the game.
He made his debut professionally in 2010 by playing for Lens in Ligue 1 where he showcased his remarkable defensive skills. In 2011, there was a momentous turn in his career when he got signed with Real Madrid. With Madrid he established himself as a key player under the guidance of legendary coach José Mourinho.
Over the ten seasons with Los Blancos he made 360 appearances. He won 18 major titles during his tenure and that includes four UEFA Champions League trophies (2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and also three La Liga titles (2012, 2017, and 2020).
In 2021, he made a shift to Manchester United where he continued to play exceptionally well and helped the team secure a EFL Cup victory in 2023. He also played a significant role in their Carabao Cup triumph in 2022-23 and FA Cup success in the following year. He came across a major setback while playing for Como as he injured his knee.
Through a heartfelt social media post, Raphael Varane expressed gratitude reflecting upon his highs and lows. He stated that he is proud of what he has achieved throughout his progressional journey. Along with this, Varane also stated that he will remain involved with Como in a non-playing capacity. As he leaves behind a legacy, his fans around the world celebrated his journey and contribution to football.