Raphaël Varane: “his body couldn't take it anymore”, the former defender of the Blues announces his retirement

Raphaël Varane has just announced his retirement from the sport, at only 31 years old, confirming information from Le Parisien this Wednesday.

His body had not been following for months. At only 31 years old, Raphaël Varane announced his retirement this Wednesday, September 25. The footballer, who made the glory days of Lille, Real and the French team, had tried in recent months to get back on track in Como, Italy, to try to finish his rich, but short career there. But constant knee problems meant he was only able to play one game for the club he had joined this summer.

In a long message posted by Raphaël Varane on his Instagram account, the player recalls “the incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime” that football has given him. “Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a sense of accomplishment that I announce my retirement from the game we all love,” the former defender wrote.

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Raphaël Varane had been lost from sight in 2022, after his last appearances for France at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Uncertainties about his physical condition and intense media hype accompanied the competition, which was nevertheless convincing despite the defeat in the final against Argentina. The central defender, “leader” of the French team with whom he had played for almost a decade, had announced a few months later he ended his international career.

Raphaël Varane had indeed announced his international retirement in February 2023, via a long message posted on Instagram. Indicating that he had been thinking about it for “several months”, he then judged that “the right time” had come to step away and take it easy. The 2018 world champion had decided to devote himself mainly to his development at club level (at Manchester United at the time). A choice that Karim Benzema, Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda had already made before him.

A premature physical wear and tear

It must be said that Raphaël Varane had achieved the almost unthinkable by returning from injury just before the 2022 World Cup. The defender's very heavy efforts to put his stubborn hamstrings back in place had left a deep mark on him. The defender's constant injuries, particularly to his knees, required increasingly long recovery phases, which were not really compatible with the intensive pace that high-level play requires.

Le Parisien thus mentioned last year"a certain form of physical and psychological wear and tear", a need to spend more time with his family, but also the desire to make way for the next generation. At the time of Raphaël Varane's complete retirement, the daily newspaper now believes that “he has finally understood that his body could no longer take it and has finally come to terms with the facts”.

“During my career, I have taken on many challenges, I have taken on challenges, almost all of them were supposed to be impossible,” he wrote on Instagram. Faced with the latest challenge, he decided to throw in the towel, for good. “I want to come out strong, not just hang on to the game. It takes a lot of courage to listen to your heart and your instincts. Wants and needs are two different things. I fell and I rose again.” a thousand times, and this time it's time to stop and hang up my boots,” he continues. Raphael Varane assures that a “new life begins off the pitch.” “I'll stay with Côme. Just without using my boots. Something I'm looking forward to sharing more soon.” To be continued anyway.