The esteemed French defender recently shared his insights on life away from the football pitch, underlining the significance of discovering fulfillment beyond athletic achievements. After grappling with physical and mental fatigue following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Varane, now 29, made the bold choice to retire from international football, prioritizing his overall well-being, a decision he firmly stands by.
In a discussion with GQ, Varane remarked, “It’s day and night to have cuts during the season. The environment of high-level football in very high doses can be stifling and it feels good to relax a little. I almost feel like I’m doing a different job today and I feel more fulfilled off the field.”
Despite encountering obstacles in his debut season with Manchester United due to injuries, Varane believes he rediscovered a sense of purpose and resilience in the Premier League in subsequent campaigns. Despite often being overlooked by manager Erik ten Hag in favor of other defenders like Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, Varane remains content with his personal performances.
“In Manchester, I experienced a first season of adaptation to the Premier League which was truncated by injuries,” he noted. “That said, last year was good and I am happy with my individual performances this season but especially with the resilience shown by my teammates who do not give up even if we experience ups and downs.”
Varane also expressed apprehension about the growing intensity of football schedules mandated by governing bodies. With tournaments like the World Cup expanding and changes to prestigious club competitions like the Champions League, Varane cautioned against the long-term effects on players’ health and longevity. He stressed the importance of maintaining a balance to uphold the essence of football while safeguarding player well-being.
“There are more and more competitions and this phenomenon is accelerating. On the one hand, this poses a long-term problem for the health and longevity of athletes. On the other hand, it could be harmful to the football industry and entertainment,” he analyzed.
“Football is a profession of passion with an artistic side that I love. But, the artists who go on tour, whether they are musicians, actors or comedians, all say that it is exhausting and some even take breaks of several years. International footballers are underwater all year round and the summer of 2024 will be non-stop for those who go far in all competitions. If we want to defend football, preserve the high intensity of matches and see the best players at their best, we must take care of them and simply make them play less.”
Unfortunately, Varane suffered a muscle injury in a recent match against Chelsea, ruling him out of United’s upcoming game against Bournemouth. He faces a race against time to recover before the season concludes.
Raphaël Varane
Raphaël Varane
FranceThis season he played in total 21 times for 1353 minutes for Premier League.
Raphaël Varane scored 1 goal for Manchester United. He procured no assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 6th in Premier League. In the last match Manchester United drew 2-2 against Liverpool. The next match in Premier League will be against AFC Bournemouth.
Manchester United performance and stats
Manchester United
Manchester United is currently 6th in the Premier League with 49 points.
In the last 31 games, it has won 15 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 12 times. In its last match, Manchester United drawn 2-2 against Liverpool.
It has a negative goal difference after scoring 45 goals and conceding 46.
Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 13th of April in Bournemouth. The prediction is AFC Bournemouth winning the match.
