After former French national team defender Raphael Varane announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31, fellow footballer Cristiano Ronaldo shared his thoughts on social media. Varane, who was a 2018 World Cup winner with les Bleus, had played for clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Como. With Real Madrid, he won multiple La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League trophies.
Raphael Varane Retires from Professional Football: A Look Back and Ahead
Former French national team defender Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 31. The announcement was greeted with both surprise and sadness by fans and colleagues alike. Varane's illustrious career spanned nearly two decades, during which he graced the fields of some of the most renowned clubs in the world.
Background: A Star in the Making
Born in France in 1993, Varane began his youth career with RC Lens. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut at the age of 17. Varane's exceptional talent was evident from an early age, and he soon caught the attention of scouts from some of Europe's top clubs.
In 2011, Varane signed for Real Madrid, one of the most successful clubs in world football. He became a vital member of the team, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos. Together, they helped Real Madrid win multiple La Liga titles and UEFA Champions League trophies.
Manchester United and Como
After a successful stint in Madrid, Varane moved to Manchester United in 2021. He was expected to play a key role in the team's rebuilding process. However, injuries and inconsistent performances hampered his time at Old Trafford.
In September 2023, Varane joined Italian Serie A club Como. The move was seen as an opportunity for him to regain his form and fitness. Despite showing signs of improvement, he decided to call it quits less than six months later.
International Career
Varane made his debut for the French national team in 2013. He was part of the squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he played alongside his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
Retirement Announcement
Varane's retirement announcement came as a shock to many. In a statement released on social media, he explained that he had made the difficult decision to step away from professional football due to persistent injuries and a desire to spend more time with his family.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did Varane retire so early? Varane cited persistent injuries and the need to prioritize his family as the reasons behind his early retirement.
2. What was the highlight of Varane's career? Winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France and multiple UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid were among the highlights of Varane's career.
3. What is Varane's future plans? Varane has not yet announced his future plans, but it is possible that he will pursue a career in coaching or management.
4. Who will replace Varane in the French national team? William Saliba is a promising young defender who is expected to step into Varane's role in the French national team.
5. What is Varane's legacy? Varane will be remembered as one of the most talented and successful defenders of his generation. He was a vital part of the French team that won the 2018 World Cup and made significant contributions to Real Madrid's success in the UEFA Champions League.
Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer has collaborated with the faith-tech platform Bhagavad Gita for All, highlighting the use of the Gita's teachings for improved performance and mental wellness. With over 10,000 books sold and 1 lakh users on its mobile app, the platform aims to bring ancient wisdom into daily life through modern tech. Iyer's composure and focus on the field make him a perfect fit for this partnership, which also aims to reach Gen Z and Millennials for high-performance training.
The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games by the Commonwealth Sport's Executive Board. This decision is set to be finalized on November 26 at the body's General Assembly, after being sent to the full membership of Commonwealth Sport. Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, expressed his pride and gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their vision and commitment towards making Ahmedabad the Sporting Capital of India.
Despite two goals from Ronaldo, Portugal was unable to secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup. Ronaldo's impressive performance, including his 40th and 41st World Cup qualifying goals, wasn't enough to overcome Hungary's late equalizer. Portugal will have to wait until November for another chance to qualify, with hopes of giving their star player one final shot at a major tournament.
In a heated match between India and Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, the Blue Tigers suffered a painful defeat as they failed to capitalize on their chances. Despite an early goal from Lallianzuala Chhangte, India's hopes were extinguished as Song Ui-young scored twice for Singapore, sealing their first win of the qualifying campaign. With just two points from four matches, India's chances of advancing to the next round now hang by a thread, as they would need to win all their remaining matches and hope for other results to go their way.
In a thrilling AFC Asian Cup qualifier match, Singapore stunned India with a 2-1 away victory, effectively ending the latter's hopes of qualification. Despite India's early lead through a stunning goal from Chhangte, Song Ui-young's clinical brace secured the win for Singapore. The result leaves India at the bottom of their group, while Singapore stays within reach of group leaders Hong Kong. India's missed chances ultimately proved costly, as their promising front-foot approach fell short in the end.
Shami, who was a key member of India's 2025 Champions Trophy winning team, has been left out of the ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour, despite being fit and playing domestic cricket. This comes as a surprise, given his recent performances and the injury-prone pacer's determination to make a comeback in the international circuit. Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar's vague explanation only adds to the speculation surrounding Shami's omission.
Retired Justice Nageswara Rao submits a report to the Supreme Court, seeking their decision on two disputed articles in the draft constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The AIFF has sought clarification from the SC on these articles following objections from FIFA. Justice Rao's report recommends the deletion of the articles, but leaves the final decision to the apex court. The AIFF has adopted its constitution with the exclusion of these contentious clauses, pending directions from the SC.
Despite being rained out for the first time in its 81-year history, the Columbus Day Parade celebrated the spirit of Italian heritage this year with football legend Joe Moglia as its grand marshal. Moglia, who was ecstatic to receive the honor, proudly represented his hometown of NYC and his Italian roots. Despite the cancellation, the other events of the weekend, including a mass led by Cardinal Dolan, will remain a highlight of Moglia's life. The former CEO and Chairman of TD Ameritrade turned Coastal Carolina University football coach, Moglia's success and accomplishments continue to inspire and garner respect.
Former WWE superstar CM Punk made a triumphant return to the ring at today's "WWE Raw" event in Australia. After a hard-fought match, Punk emerged as the new number-one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, but his next match may be in jeopardy due to current champion Seth Rollins' injury. Despite this, Punk expressed his love for the rowdy crowd in Perth and his excitement for future matches.
Up-and-coming wrestler Bron Breakker made a bold move at the end of WWE Raw by forming a new faction called "The Vision," with fellow wrestlers Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman by his side. The trio took out superstar Seth Rollins in a stunning turn of events, leaving fans on social media buzzing with excitement. This unexpected alliance promises to bring a new dynamic to the WWE and could shake up the wrestling world in the coming matches. Stay tuned for more updates on "The Vision's" journey to the top.