What's happened
Raphaël Varane has announced his retirement from professional football following a knee injury sustained during his debut for Como. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender reflected on his illustrious career, which includes multiple trophies and international accolades, and will remain with Como in a non-playing role.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Varane expressed pride in his career, stating, "I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing." The Independent highlighted his achievements, noting he was capped 93 times for France and won the World Cup in 2018. The Guardian emphasized his commitment to football, saying, "I will remain with Como. Just without using my boots and shin pads." These sources collectively illustrate Varane's significant contributions to football and his thoughtful approach to retirement.
How we got here
Varane's career spanned over a decade, during which he won numerous titles, including four Champions League trophies with Real Madrid and the 2018 World Cup with France. His recent move to Como was marred by injury, prompting his retirement announcement.
More on these topics
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France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como.
Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a tourist destination, and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums
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Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.
Founded on 6 March 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn a white home kit since inception.
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Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.
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The 2018 FIFA World Cup was an international football tournament contested by men's national teams and took place between 14 June and 15 July 2018 in Russia. It was the 21st FIFA World Cup, a worldwide football tournament held once every four years.