After Hugo Lloris and Karim Benzema, Raphaël Varane has just announced his international retirement confirming information from the Parisian this Thursday. A “physical and psychological wear and tear” is mentioned by the daily…
Uncertainties about his physical condition and intense media hype had accompanied his last appearances in Blue during the Football World Cup at the end of last year. After a competition that was nevertheless convincing despite the failure, Raphaël Varane this time decided to throw in the towel for good. The central defender, “taulier” of the Blues with whom he has played for almost a decade, announced on Thursday that he was ending his international career.
Raphaël Varane confirmed, via a long message posted on Instagram at midday, that he intended to leave the Blues, as announced by a Parisian alert earlier. Indicating that it had been “several months” that his reflection was in progress, he judges that it is “the right time” to move away from now on.
Raphaël Varane’s message on Instagram
The 2018 world champion should now focus on his club development at Manchester United. A choice that Karim Benzema, Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda have already made before him. Anticipating the surprise announcement (Raphaël Varane is not yet 30 years old), Le Parisien mentioned at the very end of the morning “a certain form of physical and psychological wear and tear”, a need to spend more time with his family but also the desire to make room for the next generation. A state of mind that appears implicitly in his message, which even explicitly mentions “the new generation”.
A retirement that became obvious after the World Cup?
Raphaël Varane would have even wanted to finish in apotheosis with the Blues, thanks to a victory against Argentina of Lionel Messi in the final of the World Cup, reported the Parisian. The cruel scenario of December 18, which thwarted his plans, could have encouraged him to re-enlist to seek a new challenge in four years or try that of Euro 2024, closer while being the only trophy he lacks. This failure in Qatar would have paradoxically contributed to his desire to turn the page…
The fact of becoming the legitimate heir to the captain’s armband of the Blues after the retirement of Lloris and the a priori solid confidence of Didier Deschamps could also have weighed in favor of a return. But the generational question undoubtedly also seems to be at stake in the defender’s decision, the experienced player no longer being completely in tune with the new nuggets of the Blues in the locker room, still according to the Ile-de-France newspaper. The succession being assured or almost with the hatching of Upamecano or Konaté in central defense, Varane has therefore decided to clear the way.
Do not relive the calvary of autumn
This is another major element to explain his choice: if the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup was general, it may have had an even more bitter taste for Raphaël Varane, who will have achieved the unthinkable or almost by returning from injury just before the competition. The very heavy efforts of the defender to put his hamstrings back in place after the tears of October, when he was forced to leave the lawn against Chelsea, would have marked him deeply. This same injury would still require him to undergo more important recovery phases today, not really compatible with the intensive rhythm implied by the double club-selection hat.
The retirement of Raphaël Varane – winner of the 2018 World Cup and four Champions Leagues with Real – is in any case a new challenge in the renewal that will have to take place in the coming months on the side of Clairefontaine. With Hugo Lloris, the Lille, trained in Lens, was one of the pillars of the France team, where he made his debut in March 2013. Raphaël Varane has since been selected 93 times and has 5 goals on the clock with Blues.
After Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda, the coach of the France team loses a new frame with Raphaël Varane. In a press release posted by the FFF, Didier Deschamps reacted with emotion, but takes note of his decision:
“Raphael called me a few days ago to explain to me that he wanted to put an end to his international career. He is an intelligent boy, who knows how to take the time to reflect, weigh the pros and cons before to decide. Without going into the details of our exchange, Raphaël believes that he has reached the end of his adventure with the France team. I experienced a situation somewhat similar to his, I understand his arguments and respect his decision even if it may seem regrettable in view of all that he was able to do with the selection until the World Cup during which he behaved, from start to finish, like the leader that we know.
Of course, I can’t turn this page without a certain emotion, given the ties we’ve forged since August 2012. Like Hugo Lloris, he will have been on all my lists, barring injury. Raphaël, who was then a young talent in the making at Real Madrid, was in my first for the friendly match against Uruguay in Le Havre. He quickly established himself as a starter. I especially remember his authority during the comeback play-off against Ukraine in 2013. A first high-level performance. The first of a long list. If I did not hesitate to entrust him with the armband at 21, it is because he was already showing leadership in the group in his own way and with others. ‘Rapha’ was an effective relay, one of the guarantors of the collective and its values.
After Blaise Matuidi, Steve Mandanda and Hugo Lloris, Raphaël is the fourth 2018 world champion to retire internationally. As our paths diverge, I wanted to salute his honesty, his unwavering commitment to the blue jersey. Raphael has played a pivotal role on and off the pitch for the past decade. I took great pleasure in being his coach and I know that this is also the case for all of my staff. I wish him the best development and the best possible happiness.”