Manchester United Defender Raphael Varane Retires From International Soccer With France

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from international soccer after playing 93 senior games for France.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from international soccer after playing 93 senior games for France.

The 29-year-old's announcement on Thursday came as a shock to many because he had been a leading candidate to replace Hugo Lloris as France captain.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Lloris, 36, retired from international soccer as France's most-capped player ever following the 2022 World Cup.

Lloris had represented his country 145 times at senior level.

Both men had been part of the France team that won the World Cup under coach Didier Deschamps in Russia in 2018.

Varane announced his retirement on Instagram.

Alongside of photo of himself holding the World Cup trophy in 2018, Varane wrote a letter to France fans.

It read: "Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride.

"The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we entered the field. I have been considering this for several months and have decided that it is the right time for me to retire from international football.

"As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions. I dreamed of doing like our heroes and, 20 years later, I had one of the best experiences of my life, one that made me really proud.

"We brought the Cup home!! I will never forget it. I still feel every single emotion I felt that day, July 15, 2018. It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life.

"This victory that we won together would never have been possible without the support of Didier Deschamps, of each of the members of the management and our staff during these years, of my teammates who defended our shirt at each of our matches.

"But more importantly, this victory would not have been possible without the support of each of you along this path. Your enthusiasm, the celebrations and the memories of our return to France will remain etched in my mind forever.

"Even after the defeat in the final last year, with certainly a great run, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, a thousand times THANK YOU!

"I will miss these moments with you for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over. We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you."

READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe Is Leading Candidate To Become New France Captain

Raphael Varane's last ever game for France was against Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final :: IMAGO/Buzzi