The central defender of the France National Team, Raphael Varane (93 international matches), who was the champion of the world in 2018 and a finalist in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, announced on Thursday his retirement from international football at the age of only 29.
"I have been reflecting on it for several months and I have decided that it is the right time to retire from international football," wrote the current Manchester United player, who has been a key figure for the Bleus since 2013.
France is losing a third pillar of their team, following the departures of captain Hugo Lloris and his substitute in goal, Steve Mandanda, who bid farewell to the national team last month.
Varane's announcement is more surprising because he was seen as a potential future captain of the 'bleus', especially at the start of the qualification stage for the 2024 European Championship, scheduled for the end of March.
At the age of 29, the former Real Madrid player ends his international career with 93 appearances, ten years after making his debut for the French team in March 2013.