Raphael Varane retires: Former Manchester United and France defender ends career at age 31 after serious knee injury | Football news

Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31 after suffering a serious knee injury.

The defender joined Serie A club Como this summer after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract.

He initially signed a two-year contract, but suffered a serious knee injury just 23 minutes after his debut against Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia.

Later in August, the French international was dropped from his club's squad for the league season and the injury now forces him to end his illustrious career.

“They say all good things come to an end,” Varane wrote in a long Instagram message revealing his plans for the future.

“Away from the pitch, a new life begins. I will stay at Como. But without my boots and shin guards. I will tell you more about that soon.”

During his 14-year career, he made a total of 480 appearances for his club. With Real, he won the Champions League four times, made 93 international appearances for France and won the 2018 World Cup.

He helped the Spanish club to three La Liga titles after joining from Lens as an 18-year-old in 2011 and was a mainstay in defence as Real dominated Europe's top competition, playing in three of the four finals the team won between 2014 and 2018.

His move to United in the summer of 2021 was intended to help rejuvenate the Old Trafford side after several disappointing seasons, but the Red Devils finished only sixth, third and eighth during his three-year tenure and failed to progress beyond the round of 16 of the Champions League.

However, one of his final tasks for the club was to help them win the 2024 FA Cup by beating Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley. The team also won the Carabao Cup the previous season.

United posted on X: “You have represented our colours with great success during your three seasons at Old Trafford.

“We thank you for your humility, leadership and commitment. May these qualities serve you well in your next endeavor.

“Once a Red, always a Red.”

The highlight of his career came in 2018, when he played in all seven games and France won the World Cup for the second time. He scored a goal in the quarter-final against Uruguay. In the final in Moscow, Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2.

He added on Instagram: “I have no regrets, I wouldn't change anything. I've won more than I ever dreamed of, but beyond the awards and trophies, I'm proud that no matter what, I've stayed true to my principles of honesty and tried to leave each place better than I found it.”

“I hope I made you all proud.”

How Real Madrid shaped Varane

Adam Bate of Sky Sports wrote in August 2021:

He was European football's worst-kept secret in 2011, a teenage defender with size and speed who was skilful enough to shine at the highest level. He was only 17 years old, but the biggest clubs in the world were watching – much to the frustration of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The story of Manchester United's pursuit of young Raphael Varane gained momentum a decade after his near-signing. The defender has won a World Cup and four Champions Leagues since Ferguson jumped on the bandwagon to France.

The United legend recalls the events of April 2011: Zinedine Zidane “snatched him from under our noses” while managing director David Gill was going over the details of the contract with Lens. In Madrid, however, the talks went very differently.

Jose Mourinho was nearing the end of his first season as manager and was faced with the reality of what Pep Guardiola's Barcelona had become. The 5-0 defeat at the Nou Camp in November had been sobering. A rebuild was needed.

At a meeting to discuss future plans, Zidane, who worked as a special adviser until his appointment as the new sporting director this summer, said that Lens had a centre-back who could become better than World Cup captain Laurent Blanc.