An essential defender for the French team and Real Madrid in the 21st century, Raphaël Varane announced his retirement at the age of 31. Discover his career in 10 dates.
June 27, 2011: Signed with Real Madrid
Lens’ revelation of the 2010-2011 season, Raphaël Varane was coveted by many big clubs. In the middle of his exam period, the young Frenchman decided to join Real Madrid on the advice of Zinedine Zidane while Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United also had an eye on him. He played his first match with the Merengue on September 21 against Racing Santander and quickly made his mark.
March 22, 2013: first selection with the Blues
On March 22, 2013, in a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil against Georgia, Raphaël Varane made his first selection at the Stade de France. Les Bleus won 3 goals to 1 and the young Frenchman made a successful debut.
Fep / Panoramic
May 22, 2014: First Champions League title with Real Madrid
On 22 May 2014, Varane started alongside Sergio Ramos in the Champions League final against Atlético Madrid. After a thrilling match, the Merengue won 4 goals to 1 and lifted their tenth cup with the big ears. Varane won his first major international trophy.
July 4, 2014: a duel lost against Hummels which will haunt him for a long time
A few months after qualifying in a heroic play-off against Ukraine, Les Bleus faced Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. On a free kick from Kroos in the 13th minute, Mats Hummels won his duel against Raphaël Varane and opened the scoring for the Mannschaft. The score remained unchanged and Germany won the World Cup.
JB Autissier / Panoramic
May 24, 2016: Announcement of his withdrawal from the Euro in France
While he was having a good season and was preparing to play in Euro 2016 in France, Varane suffered a tear in his left biceps femoris muscle. This injury forced him to withdraw from the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and then from the Euro in France a few days later.
May 26, 2018: Last victory in the Champions League with Real Madrid
After Pepe’s departure, Varane definitively earned his place in central defence alongside Sergio Ramos. Under Zinedine Zidane, the 25-year-old won a fourth Champions League after 2014, 2016 and 2017.
July 15, 2018: world champion with the Blues, then 7th in the Ballon d’Or
2018 will probably remain the best year of Varane’s career. 1 month and a half after his victory in the Champions League, the defender won the World Cup with Les Bleus. Very consistent in his performances during the competition, scoring in the quarter-final against Uruguay, he is the only Frenchman to have played the entire seven matches, which represents 630 minutes. After this crazy year, he will finish 7th in the Ballon d’Or, a very honorable ranking for a defender in the 21st century.
Itar Tass / Panoramic
July 21, 2021: Signed at Manchester United
After 10 years, 360 games played and 17 goals scored with the White House, Raphaël Varane signs with Manchester United for 4 years and for 40 million euros. He remains three years in England, announcing his departure for Como in May 2024.
February 2, 2023: announcement of the end of international career
On February 2, 2023, Raphaël Varane announced his international retirement at the age of 29. The French defender will have worn the blue jersey 93 times, scored 5 times and worn the captain’s armband 25 times. According to our colleagues at Parisianthe Manchester United player would like to devote more time to his family.
September 25, 2024: Sports retirement
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, in a long message posted on his Instagram account, Raphaël Varane announced his retirement. In this message, he states “has no regrets, that he has won more trophies than he could have hoped for and announces that he will stay living in Como” in Italy.
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