France defender Varane announces retirement
France and Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane has announced his retirement from international football to focus on club duties.
Varane last game for France, the team he was the vice captain before his retirement, came in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride,” the 29-year-old said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
He continued: “The duty to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field. I’ve been contemplating this for several months and deciding it’s the right time for me to retire internationally.”
The former Real Madrid star made his debut for the France national team in the Les Bleus’ 3-1 World Cup qualifier victory over Georgia in 2013 and went on to earn 93 appearances for his country.
He played a pivotal role as France won their second-ever global triumph at the FIFA World Cup in Russia almost five years ago and was also part of the squad that almost defended France’s World Cup triumph in Qatar last year.
Unfortunately, the two-time World Cup champions lost in the final to Argentina on penalties after both the regulation and extra time ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
During his ten years stint with Les Bleus, Varane also won the UEFA Nations League, a feat France achieved in the final against Spain that took place in Italy in 2021.
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