The United central defender made his debut in 2013 and won the 2018 World Cup
MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Manchester United player Raphaël Varane announced this Thursday his international retirement and thus ends his relationship with the ‘Bleus’, with the 2018 World Cup title as his great achievement with a France that he has represented on 93 occasions absolute level.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Varane wrote in a video posted on networks confirming his international withdrawal.
Video accompanied by a long farewell statement to the French team, with whom he made his debut on March 22, 2013 with a duel against Georgia, and from whom he bids farewell with the bitter taste of defeat in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, against Argentina in the penalty shootout.
“Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every time I put on this blue jersey I felt immense pride. With a duty to give it my all, to play with my heart and win every time I jumped onto the field. I’ve been contemplating this for several months and I decided that it’s the right time to retire internationally,” Varane announced.
He pointed out that as a child he dreamed of the heroes of the 1998 World Cup in France, and was able to compare himself to them when he was part of the team that won the world title in Russia 2018. “I dreamed of being our heroes and 20 years later I lived one of the best experiences of my life, one that made me really proud,” he explained about that success on July 15, 2018.
His last game is leaving, 93 at an absolute level, the one in the final lost in Qatar 2022. Against Leo Messi’s Argentina. “Even after the defeat in the final, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, a thousand thanks”, he dedicated to the ‘bleu’ fans.
“I will miss these moments, but the time has come for the new generation to take charge. We have a handful of talented young players who are ready to take control, who deserve a chance and who need you,” he opined about the new generations.
The 29-year-old, who will turn 30 on April 25, made his debut almost a decade ago at just 19 years old. He leaves with that 2018 World Cup but also with the 2021 Nations League. He scored, in those 93 games, a total of 5 goals, including the 2018 World Cup quarterfinal against Uruguay.
