Former French defender Raphael Varane retires from football aged 31

At 31, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United center back has kissed football goobye after suffering series of long term injuries.

Raphael Varane in 2011 had bids from Manchester United and Real Madrid but decided to join the Spanish club.

It was at Real Madrid that he grew and became a world class center back partnering Sergio Ramos at the heart of the defence at the Santiago Bernabeau for a long time.

He made 236 appearances for Real Madrid in a decade long stay before joining Manchester United for three seasons between 2011 and 2014 marred by injuries.

Varane signed for Como for the beginning of the 2024-25 season but in a space of two months, the former French center back has terminated his contract and retired from football dye to gis inability to stay fit for the game.

After stints with the French U18, U20 and U21, he made his France debut in 2013 and became an integral part of Didier Deschamps squad helping them win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Many will remember Varane as a very calm and intelligent defender in his playing days.

“I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it’s the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley”, he wrote on X.

Raphael Varane’s Honours

🏆 FIFA World Cup winner
🏆 4x Champions League winner
🏆 4x FIFA Club World Cup winner
🏆 3x LALIGA winner
🏆 3x UEFA Super Cup winner
🏆 Nations League winner
🏆 FA Cup winner
🏆 Copa del Rey winner
🏆 Spanish Super Cup winner
🏆 Carabao Cup winner