Raphael Varane opens up on France retirement as 'overloaded schedules' take toll - 'I feel like I'm suffocating'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 04/02/2023 at 14:08 GMT
France defender Raphael Varane stunned his country when he announced his retirement from international duty at the age of 29, and in a candid interview, he admitted that football's 'overload' was the reason behind his decision. "The very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop," Varane - who won 93 caps - said.
'It's about winning the final' - Ten Hag reacts as Man Utd cruise through to League Cup final
Manchester United and France defender Raphael Varane has spoken candidly about his decision to retire from international duty, revealing that he was struggling to cope with football’s ‘overloaded schedule'.
Varane – who has won 93 caps - announced his retirement from international duty with France aged 29 on Thursday.
He was part of the side that swept to the World Cup trophy at Russia 2018, then came within a penalty shootout of repeating the feat at Qatar 2022.
“I gave everything, physically and mentally," Varane said in an interview with Canal+.
“But the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop.
“We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop. Right now, I feel like I'm suffocating and that [Varane] the player is gobbling up [Varane] the man.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2022/12/12/3507336-71493888-2560-1440.jpg)
Raphaël Varane en conférence de presse lundi à deux jours de France - Maroc
Image credit: Getty Images
His final act in a France shirt came during the World Cup final against Argentina in December, collapsing onto all fours after a lung-bursting run to prevent an attack in extra-time. He was immediately substituted by manager Didier Deschamps, having been one of a number of players in the France camp to pick up a virus.
Varane was thought to be next in line for the captaincy after Hugo Lloris retired in January, and his announcement was described by former France international Jerome Rothen as a "disaster".
He told Spanish outlet AS: "I think that at this age and when you play in a club that allows you to be at a very high level, you have a duty.
"It's to bring your talent to your country. He's a disaster. He has a long history, congratulations!
"He won the most beautiful of competitions, the World Cup in 2018. We saw all his contribution to the last World Cup.
"There was scepticism because he was coming off an injury, but he performed very well.
"But I tell myself: what a decision! It's a disaster to hear that, not to wearing the national team shirt again at 29. He can't do that.
"Raphael, don't forget you brought a lot, but here you are doing something stupid! The competition?
"He put players in his pocket. It's a major madness within this group."
He concluded: "I can only think of one reason for him stopping at 29, it is because the atmosphere of the French must not be good.
"Which France national team player stopped at the age of 29?"
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement