Julius OkorieFour-time Champions League winner and former Real Madrid Star, Raphael Varane, is full of gratitude looking back at his achievement in the round leather game.
The 31-year-old announced sudden retirement from football late Wednesday but hinted he will remain with his new club in a new capacity to be revealed soon.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe development is coming barely two months after the former Manchester United defender joined Italian side Como 1907.
Varane left United as a free agent at the end of last season after three years at Old Trafford, having endured an injury-hit 2023-24 campaign.
He previously spent 10 years with Madrid, winning LaLiga three times and the Champions League on four occasions, also playing a key role as France won the 2018 World Cup.
Varane had hoped to continue enjoying the game with newly promoted Seria A side Como managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas in July, but a knee injury on his debut last month forced the former France international to call it quits at 31.
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Varane penned an emotional and yet encouraging post on Instagram saying: “They say all good things must come to an end.
“In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible.
“I hold myself to the highest standard; I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct.
“Desire and needs are two different things. I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it’s the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley.
“I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of, but beyond the accolades and trophies, I am proud that I have stuck to my principles of being sincere and have tried to leave everywhere better than I found it.
“And so, a new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como. Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.”
Varane made his highest appearance for Real Madrid where he featured in 286 matches with eight goals to his credit. He also made 95 appearances for France between 2023 and 2022 with five goals to his credit.
Varane indeed has every cause to count his blessings considering that he suffered Concussions which affected his career to some extent.
In an interview for L’Équipe in April 2024, Varane said that concussions suffered in various official matches throughout his career had “damaged [his] body”, as he suggested to avoid teaching children heading and called for wider awareness among players around the dangers of repeated head trauma to brain health.
He also revealed how symptoms of concussions had a negative impact on some of his performances, including the quarter-final match against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the second leg of the round of 16 match against Manchester City in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League.
FIFA and WHO are currently intensifying awareness campaign on Concussion and how to minimise its effect among footballers and other stakeholders.
Recall that Varane was part of Les Blues squad that won the World Cup in 2018 in Russia.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
