Raphael Varane Retires: A Legacy in Football Ends at 31
Raphael Varane, a former France and Real Madrid defender, has announced his retirement from sport at the age of 31.
Varane signed a two-year contract with Como, which had recently been promoted. However, he injured his knee during a match against Sampdoria the following month, in what would be his sole appearance for the club.
Varane announced his retirement from the sport on social media, stating that he did it with ‘immense pride’. ‘In my career, I’ve taken on many difficulties, rising to occasion after occasion, almost all of which were thought to be impossible,’ he said.
He says he will stay with the club in a non-playing capacity.
Varane joined Real Madrid in 2011 following a spell with French club Lens. What followed was a spectacular career in the Spanish capital, where he won 18 trophies.
The defender made his debut for France in 2013, winning the World Cup five years later and the Nations League in 2021.
He also spent time at Old Trafford beginning in 2021 for an initial fee of more than 40 million euros, making more than 90 games across all competitions.
