COMO: Former France and Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending a career that included a World Cup title and a big haul of club trophies.
The 31-year-old Varane signed with promoted Serie A club Como in July but injured his knee during his only appearance with the club — an Italian Cup match against Sampdoria last month.
“In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible,” Varane wrote on Instagram. “Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfillment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love.”
Varane was arguably the tournament’s standout defender when France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he scored the most important of his five international goals with a header against Uruguay in the quarterfinals.
An elegant, ball-playing defender with excellent positional sense thanks to his quick reading of the game, Varane formed a solid center back pairing with Samuel Umtiti in that tournament.
He also helped Madrid to four Champions League titles and three Spanish league trophies.
He moved to Manchester United in 2021 but was restricted to 95 appearances in his three seasons in England — mainly because of injuries.
Varane began his career at Lens.
“From Lens to Madrid to Manchester, and playing for our national team. I have defended every badge with everything I have, and loved every minute of the journey,” Varane said. “I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. I have won more than I could have even dreamed of.”
Varane had already retired from France’s national team, a few months after the World Cup final defeat to Argentina in 2022. During that match, his 93rd for Les Bleus after making his debut in 2013, he fell to the ground exhausted deep into extra time.
Over the years he became one of the main leaders in the France team under coach Didier Deschamps, along with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, midfielder Paul Pogba and forward Antoine Griezmann.
“Knowing him, I know that this decision, which is always difficult to take, came after mature reflection,” Deschamps said. “It’s therefore the right decision, which we must respect. Speed, vision, technique, mental strength, Raphaël had all the right qualities to achieve the magnificent career that was his.”
Varane played a total of 22 matches in major tournaments.
“I will remember a player who was focused on others and on the team. He had a perfect rapport with captain Hugo Lloris,” Deschamps said. “In the national team, and wherever he went, he always left the impression of being a great professional.”
Varane said he would remain at Como: “Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.”
Como got its first Serie A victory in more than 21 years when coach Cesc Fabregas’ team won 3-2 at Atalanta on Tuesday.
Former France and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane announces his retirement
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Former France and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane announces his retirement
- The 31-year-old Varane signed with promoted Serie A club Como in July but injured his knee during his only appearance with the Italian club
PSG beat Marseille on penalties to win French Champions Trophy
- PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier was the hero of the night, saving two spot-kicks
- This was PSG’s record-extending 14th win in the equivalent of France’s ‘Super Cup’
KUWAIT CITY: Paris Saint-Germain beat Marseille on penalties to win a topsy turvy French Champions Trophy in Kuwait on Thursday.
PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier was the hero of the night, saving two spot-kicks as PSG took the penalty lottery 4-1 after a frenetic end to the match left the two sides locked at 2-2.
Desire Doue converted the decisive spot-kick after Chevalier had saved efforts from Marseille’s Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore.
PSG had taken an early lead when their Ballon d’Or winning attacker Ousmane Dembele deftly lifted the ball over Marseille ‘keeper Geronimo Rulli.
Only Rulli’s quick thinking prevented Nuno Mendes doubling PSG’s advantage minutes later.
Rulli’s opposite number Chevalier displayed his own goalkeeping prowess when denying Marseille defender Emerson’s goal bound shot after the half hour.
PSG had Chevalier to thank again when the stopper somehow kept out Igor Paixao’s header near the hour mark.
But with a quarter of an hour remaining, an ugly challenge by Chevalier triggered a Marseille penalty and, after confirmation from VAR, former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood coolly converted the spot-kick.
With the match only three minutes away from penalties, center-back Willian Pacho’s ill-advised clearance flummoxed his ‘keeper as Marseille suddenly seemed set to seal their first silverware since their 2012 French League Cup title.
But in the fifth minute of injury time Goncalo Ramos poked Bradley Barcola’s cross into level and send the game to penalties, and ultimately victory for Luis Enrique’s PSG.
This was PSG’s record-extending 14th win in the equivalent of France’s ‘Super Cup’ in a game virtually shunned by both sides’ fans due to travel costs.
A banner unfurled at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome last Sunday during their 2-0 upset loss to lowly Nantes in Ligue 1 summed up the general mood of dissatisfaction from supporters hanging over the encounter.
It read: “FCT 2026 in Kuwait. And for 2027, on the moon?“
The fixture traditionally between the Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners has led a nomadic existence over the years as the French Football Federation seeks to promote Ligue 1 beyond its borders.
Previous editions have been staged in Canada, China, Gabon, Israel, Qatar, USA, Morocco and Austria, among other venues.
After this awayday in the Middle East the two teams refocus on domestic matters next week, with French Cup outings before PSG, one point behind Lens in second, host Lille next Friday, and Marseille, seven points adrift of PSG in third, travel to Angers.
And in Europe, PSG will also be keen to wrap up automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16.
The holders are third in the league phase standings with two games remaining while Marseille are 16th and in contention for a play-off spot.
With PSG winning both the league and French Cup last season, Marseille owed their presence in Kuwait to being league runners-up in 2024/25, albeit a yawning 19 points behind their arch rivals.
