Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has rejected claims that he would not have retired from the French national team had Zinedine Zidane been manager.
Former Real Madrid defender Varane announced his retirement from French national team duty last week, at the age of just 29.
Official. Raphaël Varane announces his retirement from international football, he won’t play for French national team anymore. 🚨🇫🇷 #France #MUFC pic.twitter.com/ZsMrEm5VhF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2023
The four-time Champions League winner was tipped to become France’s captain, as Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also announced his retirement from international duty.
Varane was part of France 2018 World Cup-winning side and made 93 appearances for Les Bleus between 2013 and 2022.
In an interview with French outlet Canal+, Varane opened up about his reasoning for retirement.
“I gave everything, physically and mentally, but the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop,” he said.
“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.”
Suggestions in French media were made that Varane, however, would not have retired from the national team had his former Real Madrid boss Zidane been appointed.
Varane’s Response To Zidane Claims
The Manchester United star responded to the claims, confirming he still would’ve retired, regardless of if Zidane replaced Didier Deschamps.
“No, it wouldn’t have changed anything.” he said.
Raphaël Varane (29) on whether Zinedine Zidane as France manager would have changed his decision on international retirement:
"No, it wouldn't have changed anything."https://t.co/KbZzY3tSKu
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) February 7, 2023
“It has nothing to do with off-pitch matters, whether it be the other players and their international careers, the extension of the manager’s contract, or what is going on at the moment at the federation.
“It has nothing to do with a decision that was personal.”
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