Raphael Varane decided to hang up his boots quite early due to injuries.
French defender Raphael Varane has ended his career as a professional footballer.
The 31-year-old former Real Madrid and Manchester United player announced this on his Instagram page.
“They say all good things must come to an end. In my career I have been part of many challenges, one challenge after another, almost all of them should have been impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Looking back on these moments, it is with great pride and pleasure that I announce my retirement from the game we all love.
I hold myself to the highest standards, I want to go out strong and not just hang on to the game. It takes a lot of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. Wants and needs are two different things. I have fallen and got up a thousand times and this time it is time to stop and hang up my boots during my last game, winning a trophy at Wembley.
I have loved fighting for myself, my clubs, my country, my teammates and the fans of every team I have played for. From Lens to Real Madrid and Manchester United and playing for our national team. I have defended each badge with everything I had and loved every minute of the journey.
Now to the fans of every club I have played for, my teammates, coaches and staff – I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this journey more special than my wildest dreams could have predicted. Thank you, football. With love, Rafa,” Varane wrote.
During his career, Rafael played for Lens, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Como, where he moved in the summer of 2024 as a free agent. However, he managed to play only one match for the Serie A newcomer in the Italian Cup against Sampdoria, in which he suffered a knee injury.
Varane has 22 trophies on his resume. As part of Real Madrid, he won the Champions League and the Club World Cup four times, the Spanish Championship and Super Cup three times, as well as the UEFA Super Cup, and became the owner of the Spanish Cup once.
With Manchester United, the Frenchman won the FA Cup and the English League Cup once each.
He played 93 matches for the French national team and scored 5 goals. As part of Les Bleus, he became world champion 2018, vice-champion of the world in 2022 and winner of the League of Nations-2020/21.
Earlier it was reported that the famous Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny announced his retirement.