The French international defender Raphael Varaneformer player for Lens, Real Madrid and Manchester United, announced this Tuesday, through a letter published on his networks, his retirement from professional football at just 31 years old.
“They say good things must come to an end. In my career I have taken on many challenges, I have gotten up again and again. It was supposed to be impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on these moments “I announce with immense pride and satisfaction my retirement from the sport that we all love,” announces the defender born in Lille on April 25, 1993.
“I demand the most from myself, I want to retire strong, not just clinging to the game. It takes a great dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. Desire and needs are two different things. I have fallen and gotten up thousands of times. times, and this time, the time has come to stop and hang up my boots with my last game winning a trophy at Wembley” (the League Cup), he points out.
“I have loved fighting for myself, for my clubs, for my country, for my teammates and for the fans of all the teams I have played for. From Lens to Madrid, through Manchester and playing for our national team. I have defended every shield with everything I have, and I have loved every minute of the journey. Football at the highest level is an exciting experience. It tests all levels of the body and mind. As athletes, we are never satisfied. We accept success. It is our nature and what drives us,” says the French player.
“I don’t regret anything, I wouldn’t change anything. I have won more than I could have dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud to have maintained my principles of sincerity and to have tried to leave all things better than what I found them. I hope I have made you proud,” he says.
“And so begins a new life off the pitch. I will continue at Como (the club I had signed for). Only without wearing my boots and shin guards,” says Varane, who thanks all the clubs, teammates, coaches, staff and supporters of the clubs and teams he played for and for “making this journey more special than I could have ever dreamed”.
Trained in the Racing Lens youth team, in whose first team he made his debut at just 17 years old, he quickly signed for Real Madrid, where little by little he made a place for himself to end up being one of the undisputed centre-backs.
He was at the Madrid club from the 2011-12 campaign to 2020-21, a stage in which he won three leagues, two Spanish Super Cups and a Copa del Rey, as well as four Champions Leagues, three European Super Cups and four World Cups. Clubs.
He was part of the French world champion team in Russia 2018 and the 2021 Nations League (he was an absolute international on 93 occasions) and in the 2021-22 campaign he joined Manchester United, where he spent three seasons and managed to win the Cup. of the League and the Cup.
For this campaign he had signed for Como de Cesc Fabregasbut at his own request he finally could not be registered due to his knee injury, which finally made him make the decision to hang up his boots.
Real Madrid has expressed “its gratitude and affection to a player who is already part of the legend” of the club.
“Raphaël Varane He will forever remain in the hearts of all Madrid fans as one of the great centre-backs in the history of Real Madrid and for always representing the values of our club. “Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family good luck in this new stage of his life,” the white club points out.
