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France defender Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from Football at the age of 29.
The Manchester United defender played a key role in the France squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He was also an ever-present member of the team that lost in the final to Argentina in Qatar.
The 29-year-old is the second France player to retire from international football after Hugo Lloris.
Varane had been earmarked as the new captain of the team before he suddenly announced his retirement from international football.
The former Real Madrid defender took to Instagram to announce his decision.
“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 have been considering this for several months and have decided that it is the right time for me to retire from international footbal”.
“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 best experiences of my life, one that made me really proud”.
“We brought the Cup home!! I will never forget him. I still feel every single emotion I felt that day, July 15, 2018. It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life”.
Varane made his France debut against Georgia in 2013, He has scored five goals in 97 appearances for the Les Blues.
He will now switch his attention to club football at Manchester United, where he has been a key player.
