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 Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.