Under rather sad circumstances, former Real Madrid, Manchester United and France centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his surprise retirement from professional football at the age of 31.
The last few years of his career were plagued by injuries and it would be another during a Coppa Italia game for his new club Como which would spell the end for the World Cup and Champions League-winning defender.
Despite a depressing end to things, Varane can look back on a career full of outstanding achievements at the very top echelon of the game.
Born on April 25, 1993, in Lille, France, Raphael Varane's talent for football was evident from an early age. He began his professional career with French club Lens before making a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2011.
At Real Madrid, Varane quickly established himself as one of the world's best defenders. His speed, strength and tactical awareness made him an integral part of the defensive setup at Los Blancos and for his country.
During his time at the Bernabeu, he won four Champions League titles and three La Liga titles alongside other glories.
Varane's performances were instrumental in these victories and he became synonymous with success at Santiago Bernabeu.
He also shone for France, playing a significant part in the 2018 World Cup win Les Bleus.
In August 2021, Varane moved to the Premier League to join Manchester United. His time at Old Trafford was a lot less glittering, and often stunted by injuries, but he did still lift the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
After three seasons in Manchester, the Frenchman opted for a change of scenery and headed to the beautiful Lake Como to join Cesc Fabregas' newly promoted Serie A side. For a player with undoubted quality but difficulty with injuries, it seemed a perfect backdrop to recover physically and thrive.
He was one of several established big-name senior players to join the revolution at Como, including the likes of Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto and Alberto Moreno.
However, before his Como spell could get up and running, Varane came off in the first half of a Coppa Italia game against Sampdoria with a knee injury, and subsequently never made a Serie A appearance for the club.
Como defender, Raphael Varane, said:
"I have no regrets, I wouldn't change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have stuck to my principles of being sincere and have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it. I hope I have made you all proud."
After around six weeks of dealing with this latest injury blow, Varane decided to call time on his illustrious career.
The former Real Madrid star's decision to retire at such a young age has taken many by surprise. Typically players continue into their mid or late thirties before considering retirement, especially in the modern game.
However, it's important to note that each player's journey is unique and personal decisions can be influenced by a variety of factors such as physical health, mental well-being, and family considerations, among others.
Despite his early retirement, Raphael Varane leaves behind an impressive legacy. His contributions to both Real Madrid and Manchester United will not be forgotten. He has set a high bar for future defenders with his exceptional skills and achievements.
While the football world may still reel from this unexpected news, there is no doubt that Raphael Varane’s career will continue to inspire upcoming generations of footballers. His retirement marks the end of an era but also celebrates a career filled with remarkable performances and numerous accolades.
