Raphael Varane, a centre back for Manchester United and France, has announced his retirement from international football. After his debut in 2013, Varane has helped France win the World Cup in 2018, and has made 93 appearances for the team and scored five goals. His final cap came in the World Cup final of 2022, when Argentina defeated France on penalties.
Raphael Varane said that, one of the greatest honors of his life has been representing his great country for a decade. He felt a tremendous sense of pride each time. The obligation to give everything, work hard, and win every time they take the field. Raphael Varane have been debating this for a few months and have concluded that now is the best time for me to retire internationally.
Raphael Varane, who transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester United in August 2021, is the most recent Les Bleus player to step down following the World Cup. Hugo Lloris, captain and goalkeeper for Tottenham, announced his resignation in January 2023.
It was anticipated that Varane would succeed Lloris as captain of the French. Raphael Varane added that, when he was a kid, he remembers following France 98, this team, and these players who made us experience indescribable emotions, and twenty years later, h had one of the best experiences of his life, one that made him really proud.
Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, said that, he respects Varane’s decision even if it may seem a bit unfortunate given everything he was able to do with the national team through to the World Cup, during which he behaved like the leader they know he is from start to finish.
