)
The former Real Madrid star has hung up his international boots ten years after his debut for Les Bleus.
Manchester United star Raphael Varane has called time on his international career after ten years of representing France.
Varane made the announcement on his Instagram, rtating it is the right time for him to retire from France duty.
The 29-year-old said he enjoyed every moment of his time with the national team, adding he would never forget the evening of July 15, 2018, which saw France win their second world title.
Varane thanks France for the memories
Varane’s statement read: Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride.
The duty to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field. I’ve been contemplating this for several months and deciding it’s the right time for me to retire internationally.
As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions. I dreamed of being our heroes and 20 years later I lived one of the best experiences of my life, the ones that made me really proud.
We brought home the Cup !! I will never forget it. I still feel every single one of the emotions felt on that day, July 15, 2018. That was one of the most amazing and memorable moments of my life.
This victory that we won all together would never have been possible without the support of Didier Deschamps, every member of the management and staff over the years, and my teammates who have defended our shirt in every game we played.
Even after the defeat in the final last year, with a beautiful course, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, THANK YOU a thousand times! I will miss these moments with you for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over. We have a bunch of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Varane joins LLoris ten years after his debut
Varane’s retirement comes after Hugo Lloris also retired from national team duty last year.
The former Real Madrid star had been tipped to take over from Lloris as France’s national team captain but Les Bleus will now have to look for another leader.
)
Both Varane and Lloris were in France’s squad that reached the World Cup final in Qatar last year.
Varane was initially a doubt for the competition after suffering an injury at Manchester United six weeks before the competition.
However, he recovered in time to make the squad, although he missed France’s first game.
Varane did recover to play in the rest of the competition, including the final, which France lost on penalties to Argentina.
)
However, despite the disappointment, Varane can take consolation in the 2018 World Cup which he won with France.
Varane won 93 caps for France, scoring five goals, including one against Uruguay in the quarter-final of the 2018 World Cup.
)
The United defender was first called up to France’s squad in 2012, but his first appearance for the team came against Georgia in 2013.
He made 18 appearances for Les Bleus in three World Cups and just four in the Euros.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)