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.
Juventus fullback Andrea Cambiaso believes that Italy played well in their match against France, despite ultimately losing 3-1. Both teams were already qualified for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, but the top spot in the group was still up for grabs. Despite the loss, Cambiaso and the rest of the Azzurri put up a strong fight and nearly equalized in the final minutes, showing resilience after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
After a tense match, Croatia and Portugal ended with a 1-1 draw in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League, securing Croatia's spot in the quarterfinals. Both teams fought hard, but ultimately couldn't break the deadlock. This result means that Portugal will have to fight for their place in the tournament in their upcoming match against Sweden. Keep following Al Jazeera English for all the latest updates on the UEFA Nations League.
In a nail-biting match, Croatia and Portugal face off in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League, both vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. After an intense 90 minutes, the game ends in a 1-1 draw, securing Croatia's place in the next round. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the tournament as it progresses.
During the 39th FIVB World Congress, Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, was honored with the highest recognition from FIVB – the Grand Cross Award. This prestigious award recognizes Samanta's exceptional contributions in promoting and developing volleyball at the grassroots level. FIVB President Ary Graça presented the award at a ceremony attended by representatives from 222 countries, acknowledging Samanta's impact on sports and education globally. Samanta dedicated the award to Lord Jagannath and the people of India, especially those in Odisha, KIIT, and KISS.
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, the Founder of KIIT and KISS, has been awarded the Grand Cross Award by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for his remarkable contributions to the development of sports, particularly volleyball. This prestigious recognition was presented to him during the 39th FIVB World Congress, attended by representatives from 222 countries. Dr. Samanta's dedication and efforts in promoting sports at national and global levels have been highly appreciated, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
The Founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, has been awarded the Grand Cross Award, the highest honour from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The recognition was given for his admirable efforts in promoting and developing sports, with a focus on volleyball. The prestigious award was presented to him by FIVB President Dr. Ary Graca at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Portugal, attended by representatives from 222 countries.
Dr Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, was presented with the Grand Cross Award by FIVB President Dr Ary Graca at the 39th FIVB World Congress in Porto, Portugal. This prestigious recognition acknowledges Dr Samanta's outstanding contributions in promoting sports, particularly volleyball. Representatives from 222 countries praised his remarkable achievements in sports and education as he dedicated the award to Lord Jagannath and all sports enthusiasts and athletes of India.
In an intense and exciting match, Portugal's Joao Felix secured their victory against Croatia with a beautiful goal. Fans were on the edge of their seats as Portugal maintained their lead against a tough opponent until the final whistle. Despite some substitutions, including Leao being replaced by Fabio Silva, Portugal's strong performance led them to their second win in the UEFA Nations League.
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Spain's La Roja are set to face Switzerland in their final Nations League group match as they aim to secure another title. With progress to the quarter-finals already confirmed, Spain may use this game as an opportunity to try out new strategies and players. Ayoze Perez, who scored the winner for Spain in their last match, is a doubt for tonight's clash due to an injury. Meanwhile, several younger players could make their debut for the European champions.