Raphael Varane announces retirement from international football👋

The elegant center-back who plays for Premier League giants Manchester United is only 29 years old. However, he has been part of the French national team since 2013 and helped them to global glory in 2018, while also winning the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and reaching the World Cup final again in 2022.

Le Parisien initially reported that Varane was leaving the France squad, following the lead of compatriot Hugo Lloris. It shows that the heavy schedule of domestic and international football has taken a toll on the former Real Madrid defender, who now wants to spend more time with his family.

Varane has officially announced his international retirement in a post on Instagram, which reads: "Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I've been contemplating this for several months and deciding it's the right time for me to retire internationally. I will miss these moments with you for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."