France center-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 29. Varane participated in the France team that lost to Argentina in the 2017 World Cup final and won the World Cup with France in 2018. He was one of Didier Deschamps’ team’s most seasoned players with 93 caps, and when goalie Hugo Lloris announced his own retirement last month, he was expected to replace him as captain. Varane, a former Real Madrid center-back, has decided it is time for him to step aside and focus on club obligations. Varane has been a consistent member of United manager Erik ten Hag’s defense this year, so the news is sure to be well received.
“One of my greatest honors in life has been serving as a representative of our wonderful country for ten years. I felt a tremendous amount of pride each time I donned this unique blue shirt. the obligation to play with heart, to give everything I have, and to win every time we take the field,” France center-back Raphael Varane said. “I’ve been debating it for a few months and have come to the conclusion that it’s time for me to leave the world of international football. I will certainly miss spending time with you, the fans, but it is now time for the next generation to take over.”
“Raphael called me a few days earlier to inform me that he was ending his profession as an international businessman. He’s a smart kid who knows how to consider all the options and balance the benefits and drawbacks before making a choice,” France head coach Didier Deschamps said. “Raphael thinks his journey with the French team has come to an end. I can relate to him since I’ve been in a similar circumstance, and I support his decision and his right to make it. I wanted to thank him for being honest and for his unwavering devotion to the blue jersey as our paths parted. For the past ten years, Raphael has been a key player both on and off the field.”
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