Raphael Varane (Lille, 31 years old) announced his retirement from football on Wednesday morning. After signing for Italian side Como, managed by Cesc Fàbregas, the French footballer, who played for Lens, Real Madrid and Manchester United, was barely able to make his debut with his new team. In the Italian Cup match against Sampdoria, he played 23 minutes and had to be substituted due to injury. Varane announced his retirement through social media, where he said: “I remain at the highest level, I want to go out strong, not just stick to the game.”
The centre-back arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2011 at the age of 18 at the request of Zinedine Zidane and cost the club 10 million euros. It was Mourinho who began to bet on him, often leaving the veteran Pepe on the bench. But where he began to leave his mark was in the semi-finals of the 2012/2013 Copa del Rey against FC Barcelona. In the first leg, Varane saved a goal for the Blaugrana from the crossbar and scored the equaliser in the match (1-1). In the return leg, he returned to the starting eleven and scored the third goal for the Whites, who went on to the final.
Varane has expressed his pride in fighting for the clubs he has played for and his commitment to his national team. “I have defended each badge with everything I have, and I have loved every minute of the journey,” he said. The defender has won numerous titles throughout his career, especially with Real Madrid, where he won four Champions Leagues in five years, three leagues, a Copa del Rey, three Spanish and three European Super Cups and four Club World Cups. With France he won the World Cup and a UEFA Nations League. “I have won more than I could have dreamed of, but beyond the praise and trophies, I have held on to my principles of being sincere and I have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it,” the footballer added.
The centre-back explained that, despite his retirement, he will continue at Como “just without wearing boots and pads”. He also thanked all the fans who have supported him throughout his career and ended his statement with: “Thank you, football”.
