Raphael Varane steps down: After sustaining a catastrophic knee injury, the 31-year-old former defender for Manchester United and France finishes his career.

Raphael Varane, who is 31 years old, has declared his retirement from sport due to a catastrophic knee injury.

The defender departed Manchester United at the end of the previous season when his contract ended and joined Serie A team Como this summer.

He initially agreed to a two-year contract, but just 23 minutes into his Coppa Italia debut against Sampdoria, he sustained a catastrophic knee injury.

The France international's career has come to an end due to an injury that he sustained later in August, which also caused him to be withdrawn from the team's league season roster.

"They say all good things must come to an end," Varane stated in a long Instagram post that gave away his future goals.

"A fresh start is made off the pitch. I'm sticking with Como. Just without my shin protectors and boots. Something I hope to talk more about in the near future."
 
Over the course of a 14-year career, he earned 480 club games, winning the 2018 World Cup, 93 caps for France, and four Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

After moving to Real Madrid from Lens in 2011 at the age of 18, he assisted the Spanish team in winning three LaLiga titles. He was a pillar of the defence as Real dominated Europe's top competition, appearing in three of the four finals the team won between 2014 and 2018.

After a string of underwhelming seasons, his summer 2021 move to United was expected to help revitalise the Old Trafford team. However, in his three seasons there, the Red Devils only placed sixth, third, and eighth, and they were unable to go past the round of 16.

But one of his last games for the team was when they defeated Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley to win the FA Cup in 2024. The team also won the Carabao Cup the previous campaign.

"You represented our colours with great distinction during your three seasons at Old Trafford," United wrote on X.

"We appreciate your dedication, humility, and leadership. I hope these traits help you succeed in your upcoming endeavour.

"Once a Red, always a Red."

The pinnacle of his career came in 2018, when he participated in all seven games as France won the World Cup for the second time. Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4-2 in the Moscow final after scoring against Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

"I have no regrets, and I wouldn't change a thing," he continued on Instagram. Beyond the recognition and awards, I take pride in the fact that I have always upheld my values of sincerity and have made an effort to leave places better than when I found them. I have achieved more success than I could have ever imagined.

"I hope I have made you all proud."

How Varane was influenced by Real Madrid

Back in 2011, he was the worst-kept secret in European football. a tall, quick adolescent defender with the talent to be a star at the greatest level. The greatest clubs in the world were watching this 17-year-old.

Ten years after Manchester United came dangerously close to signing teenage Raphael Varane, the tale of their pursuit of him became greater relevance. With Ferguson's train ride to France, the defender had won four Champions Leagues and one World Cup.

According to the mythology of United, Zinedine Zidane "scooped him up from under our noses" in April 2011 when CEO David Gill was negotiating the specifics of Lens's contract. There was another discourse going on in Madrid.

As his first season as manager was coming to an end, Jose Mourinho was forced to face the truth about what Pep Guardiola's Barcelona had become. It had been chastening, the 5-0 loss in the Nou Camp that November. It was time for a reconstruction.

Before being named as the new sporting director that summer, Zidane stated in a meeting to discuss future plans that there was a centre-back at Lens who would surpass World Cup-winning captain Laurent Blanc. Zidane was serving as a special adviser at the time.