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Raphael Varane retires from football aged 31

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Manchester United's Raphael Varane applauds the fans after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Wednesday May 15, 2024.

France World Cup winner Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.

After his contract expired at Manchester United last season, the defender joined Como in Serie A this summer.

He signed a two-year contract but suffered a catastrophic knee injury 23 minutes into his Coppa Italia debut against Sampdoria.

The France international was withdrawn from the club’s league squad list in August, and the injury has forced him to retire.

In 14 years, he made 480 club matches, won four Champions League titles with Real, earned 93 caps for France, and won the 2018 World Cup.

After joining from Lens as an 18-year-old in 2011, he was a key defender as Real dominated Europe’s top competition, featuring in three of the four finals the team won between 2014 and 2018.

After several poor seasons, his summer 2021 move to United was expected to re-energise the Old Trafford team, but the Red Devils finished sixth, third, and ninth during his three-year spell and failed to advance in the Champions League.

He helped the club win the 2024 FA Cup by defeating Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley in his final act. Previous season, the team won the Carabao Cup.

His best year was 2018 when he featured in all seven matches as France won the World Cup for a second time, scoring against Uruguay in the quarterfinals and beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow.

Varane has since penned a heartfelt message confirming his retirement, which reads:

They say all good things must come to an end.

In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfillment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love.

I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. Desire and needs are two different things. 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.

I have loved fighting for myself, my clubs, my country, my teammates and the supporters of every team I have played for. From Lens to Madrid to Manchester, and playing for our national team. I have defended every badge with everything I have, and loved every minute of the journey. The game at the highest level is a thrilling experience. It tests every level of your body and your mind. The emotions we experience you cannot find anywhere else. As athletes, we are never satisfied, never accepting of success. It is our nature and what fuels us.

I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have stuck to my principles of being sincere and have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it. I hope I have made you all proud.

And so, a new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como. Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.

For now, to the supporters of every club I played for, to my teammates, coaches and staff… from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this journey more special than my wildest dreams could ever foresee.

Thank you, football.

With love, Rapha