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ADDS Varane quotes

French world champion Raphael Varane announced on Wednesday that he will retire from football at the age of 31. He will continue to play for Como, but in a non-football capacity.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United centre-back Varane joined the Italian club this season but was subsequently left out of the Serie A squad after suffering a knee injury in August.

“A new life begins off the pitch,” Varane said on social media.

“I’ll stay with Como. Just without using my boots and shin guards.

“Something I want to talk more about soon,” added the four-time Champions League winner.

Varane came through the youth ranks of French club Lens and left for Madrid in 2011 at the age of 18.

In his first season in the Spanish capital, he won the first of his three La Liga titles.

In 2014 he won the first of his four Champions League titles, three years later he became both national and European champion.

Varane joined United in 2024 and won both the League Cup and FA Cup with the English club.

He left Old Trafford last season to join Cesc Fabregas’ newly promoted Como, playing just one game in the Coppa Italia before suffering a knee injury.

“From Lens to Madrid to Manchester, and playing for our national team,” said Varane.

“I defended every award with everything I had and enjoyed every minute of the journey,” he added.

Varane made his debut for Les Bleus in 2013 and reached the pinnacle of his international career in 2018 with World Cup success.

He ended his French career two years ago with 93 international matches.

“I won more than I ever dreamed of,” said Varane.

“But regardless of all the awards and trophies, I am proud that, whatever happens, I have remained true to my principles of honesty and that I have tried to leave everything better than I found it,” he added.

Several former team-mates paid tribute to Varane, including United’s Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes.

“It was a pleasure for all of us,” Fernandes said on Instagram.