Raphael Varane, a decorated defender who won multiple titles with Real Madrid and Manchester United, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.
The decision comes after he suffered a knee injury on his debut for Italian club Como.
Varane, who was a key member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, joined Como this summer after leaving Manchester United as a free agent.
He played just 20 minutes in a Coppa Italia match before being forced off with the injury.
The French defender spent a decade at Real Madrid, winning four Champions League titles and three La Liga titles. He joined Manchester United in 2021 and won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his time at Old Trafford.
In a social media statement, Varane said he had “no regrets” about his career and that his achievements gave him “immense pride and a feeling of fulfillment.”
He also expressed concerns about the increasing demands on players in modern football, saying it was becoming “dangerous.”
