Former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and France defender Raphaël Varane has announced his retirement from football at 31.
After joining Italian club Como on a free transfer in July, Varane sustained a knee injury during his debut against Sampdoria, leading to his decision to retire. He will stay with the club in a non-playing capacity.
On Instagram, Varane shared, "I’ve always held myself to high standards, and I want to retire strong rather than just holding on to the game. It takes courage to listen to your heart and instincts."
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Varane began his professional career with Lens in France but quickly moved to Real Madrid in 2011. During his decade-long career in Spain, he won 18 major trophies, including three La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies.
In 2021, Varane transferred to Manchester United for an initial £34m. Despite battling injuries, he made 95 appearances and won the Carabao Cup in 2022. His last match for the club was the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May.
Internationally, Varane earned 93 caps for France after debuting in 2013. He played a crucial role in France's 2018 World Cup victory and won the Nations League in 2021. He also reached the World Cup final again in 2022.
Reflecting on his career, Varane said, "I’ve fallen and risen many times, and now it’s time to stop, with my final game ending in a trophy win at Wembley. I have no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing."
Looking ahead, Varane confirmed that he will remain with Como, albeit in a different role, and promised to share more about his future soon.
He has also been an advocate for player safety, calling for better awareness of head injuries after revealing he played through a concussion in the 2014 World Cup.
