Raphael Varane STUNS France by RETIRING from international duty, when they were ready to make him captain, with Man United star, 29, suffering ‘physical and psychological fatigue’
- Raphael Varane made his French senior debut in 2013 and has 93 caps
- The defender was part of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia
- Retiring from international duty will allow him to focus on Manchester United
Raphael Varane has reportedly stunned France by revealing that he is going to announce his retirement from international football, despite being touted as their next captain.
The Manchester United star was a key figure in helping Les Bleus lift the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and has also made 93 caps for his country over the last decade.
His retirement would continue to mark the end of an era for Les Bleus, after Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris also announced his retirement from international duty last month.
There were plans for Varane to be handed the captain’s armband in place of Lloris, but Le Parisien have reported that the defender is now set to join the keeper in international retirement.
With the retirements of two experienced figures within the camp, Get French Football News have reported that Kylian Mbappe is expected to be named as the next captain of France.
Raphael Varane is expected to announce his retirement from international football aged 29
Varane had been expected to replace Hugo Lloris (right) as France’s new captain
Both Varane and Lloris made the starting line-up in the World Cup final in Qatar, where France just fell short of retaining the trophy after a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina.
Varane’s retirement comes down to the ‘physical and psychological wear and tear’ he has suffered due a hectic playing schedule, as well as also wanting to spend more time with his family.
Varane made his senior debut for France in a victory over Georgia in March 2013 during a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup.
He quickly became a starter for Les Bleus, though a thigh injury kept him out of the 2016 European Championships.
He played every minute of the World Cup two years later, and scored the opening goal in a quarter final victory over Uruguay.
Varane became only the fourth player to win the World Cup and Champions League in the same year Christian Karembu (1998), Roberto Carlos (2002) and Sami Khedira (2014).
He also helped France win the Nations League in 2021, where they beat Spain 2-1 in the final.
His retirement would be a massive boost for Manchester United, as the defender will get chance to rest-up during international breaks.
Kylian Mbappe is now in line to take the captain’s armband with Varane and Lloris retiring
The news would be a boost for Manchester United with Varane who will get more time off
United have shown improvement in defence this season thanks to Varane’s partnership with summer signing Lisandro Martinez.
Varane missed 13 games with injury last season, but has only been absent from three match-day squads for United in the league so far this campaign.
The defender and Lloris are not the only players to announce their retirement from international duty since the World Cup.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema announced he will no longer represent his country after he was ruled out of the tournament with an injury.
Advertisement
