World champion in 2018, the former Real Madrid was one of the basic men of Didier Deschamps. A framework and a reliable key man in major tournaments, despite the many injuries that have affected him in recent years.
He had celebrated his first with the Blues on March 22, 2013 against Georgia. His last could therefore be this last cruel meeting against Argentina in the final of the World Cup in Qatar.
According to our colleagues, this decision was not easy to make. “In recent days, Raphaël Varane was still weighing the pros and cons, but the idea of quitting predominates”assures the media.
How to explain such a choice?
While he is not yet 30 years old, this choice calls out. Couldn’t he hope to lift a new trophy at the Euro in Germany? Couldn’t he guide this new generation which managed a brilliant tournament in Qatar? Of course, these various questions are legitimate. But that decision is up to him.
In reality, Raphaël Varane especially wishes to devote more time to his family. Moreover, one can imagine that this defeat in the World Cup final must not have helped. He who has won everything (or almost) during his career, including a World Cup and four Champions League.
Arrived on one leg during the short preparation for the World Cup, Varane knows that his body is asking for more recovery time. On October 22, against Chelsea, he came out in tears with his Manchester United club. At the time, he was condemned not to compete in the World Cup. But it is bad to know the player trained in Lens. The guy worked like crazy to prove to the staff that he could be. He managed to convince him, unlike Karim Benzema for example. On the bench against Australia, he returned to the eleven and never left it afterwards.
A discreet leader, he was seen as the first captain after the long Hugo Lloris era. “He has this righteousness, this respect for others,” explained the doorman for L’Equipe.
Another thing that should reassure Varane: the next generation is ready. Whether it’s Upamecano, Konaté, Disasi or Saliba, the next generation is more than the tip of its nose. The Arsenal defender is also the one who most resembles the future retiree. “The emergence of these young talents would, in his view, make his succession less problematic”continues the daily. “Throughout the competition, he perceived, at the same time, the beginnings of a generational gap. He now feels a little less connected with the youngest and without Lloris and perhaps quite quickly Giroud, who remained quite vague about his future in selection, he perhaps judges that the gatherings to come were likely to prove to be a little long.
“Representing our beautiful country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
The now former international finally broke the news on Instagram. “Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride. The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we entered the field. I’ve been thinking about it for several months and I’ve decided it’s the right time for me to retire from international football.”
Before continuing. “As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions. I dreamed of doing like our heroes and, 20 years later, I had one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, of those who made me really proud”. And to come back to the coronation in Russia. “We brought the Cup home!! I will never forget that. I still feel every emotion I felt that day, July 15, 2018. It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life. This victory that we won together would never have been possible without the support of Didier Deschamps, of each of the members of the coaching staff and of our staff during these years, of my teammates who defended our jersey at every one of our games.”
Finally, the Mancunian sends a word of thanks to his supporters. “But more importantly, this victory would not have been possible without the support of each of you along this path. Your enthusiasm, the celebrations and the memories of our return to France will remain etched in my mind forever. Even after the defeat in the final last year, with certainly a great run, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, a thousand times THANK YOU! I will miss these moments with you for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over. We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Rapha”.