After announcing his retirement from playing on Wednesday, Raphael Varane will stay at Como, the Italian club he joined this summer from Manchester United. The 31-year-old French defender has not yet revealed in what role.
Barely begun, the story between Raphaël Varane and Côme is not over… despite the announcement of the Frenchman’s retirement, this Wednesday. Recruited this summer at the end of his contract with Manchester United, the now 31-year-old ex-defender has only played one match with the Italian club, during which he injured his knee, on August 11 against Sampdoria Genoa. This new glitch pushed the 2018 world champion to hang up his boots and look towards a new challenge.
In his long farewell message on Instagram, Varane explains that he will not be leaving Como, despite the announcement of his retirement. “A new life begins off the pitch,” he explains. “I will stay in Como. But without using my boots, or my shin guards. It’s something I can’t wait to share soon.”
Nothing has yet been revealed about his future duties, although Sky Sport has mentioned the possibility of a role as an ambassador for the club, without really going into detail on the subject. Varane had not been included on the list of players who could play in Serie A after his knee injury this summer. Some Italian media had mentioned a termination of his two-year contract. The club has not communicated on this subject, simply relaying the message of the former French international on its social networks.
Raphaël Varane could participate in the development of the club in full swing after the bankruptcy of 2016. Several investors, including shareholder Thierry Henry, participated in its big return to the elite. The team, coached by Cesc Fabregas, former midfielder of Barça and Chelsea, counts on several experienced players to stay in the Italian elite, like the Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina (42 years old). This was also the idea with Raphaël Varane, but the latter will now help a little further from the field.
