Raphael Varane: Former defender of Manchester United, Real Madrid and the French national team ends his career at the age of 31

Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and French national team defender Raphael Varane has ended his football career at the age of 31.

Varane joined Italian club Como on a free transfer in July, but suffered a knee injury on his debut against Sampdoria last month.

The centre-back said he would remain with the club in a non-playing capacity.

“I hold myself to the highest standards, I want to go out strong and not just hold on to the game,” he wrote on Instagram. “It takes a lot of courage to listen to your heart and instincts.”

Varane began his career at French club Lens, but only played one season in the first team before moving to Real Madrid in 2011.

He enjoyed a glittering 10-year career in the Spanish capital, winning 18 trophies – including three La Liga titles and four Champions League titles.

The defender moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021 for an initial fee of £34 million and, despite injury problems, made 95 appearances in all competitions.

He won the Carabao Cup in 2022 and his last appearance for the club was a victory in the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City at Wembley in May.

Varane made his debut for France in 2013 and has 93 caps, winning the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 Nations League and reaching the World Cup final again in 2022.

“I have fallen and gotten up a thousand times and this time the moment has come to stop and hang up my boots because my last game will be winning a trophy at Wembley,” he said.

“I have no regrets, I wouldn't change anything. I have won more than I could have ever dreamed of, but aside from the awards and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have remained true to my principles of sincerity and tried to leave everything better than I found it. I hope I have made you all proud.”

Regarding his future plans, Varane added: “Away from the pitch, a new life begins. I will stay at Como. But without my boots and shin pads. I will tell you more about that soon.”

In April, Varane said he had “damaged” his body from the constant force of heading the ball, and once in 2014 he finished a France World Cup match on “autopilot” after playing on despite suffering a concussion.

He called for more protection and greater awareness of the problem.