France team: Didier Deschamps reacts with emotion to the international retirement of Raphaël Varane

“I cannot turn this page without a certain emotion, given the ties we have forged since August 2012. Like Hugo Lloris, he will have been, barring injury, on all my lists,” Deschamps said in a statement sent by the French Football Federation (FFF).

After 93 selections and ten years of presence, the Manchester United player (29) has decided to say stop to the Blues, more than a month after his last meeting with the tricolor jersey, the disillusionment in the final of the World Cup-2022 against the Argentina (3-3 ap, 4-2 pens).

“I respect his decision even if it may seem regrettable in view of everything he was able to do with the selection until the World Cup during which he behaved, from start to finish, like the leader that the ‘we know,” added Deschamps.

“I experienced a situation somewhat similar to his, I understand his arguments”

“Raphael Varane was an effective relay, one of the guarantors of the collective and its values. After Blaise Matuidi, Steve Mandanda and Hugo Lloris, Raphaël is the fourth 2018 world champion to retire internationally”, notes the coach, recently extended until at the 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps drew a parallel between the early decision of Varane, at 29, and his own international retirement as a player, just after Euro 2000 won by the Blues. “Raphael believes that he has reached the end of his adventure with the France team. I experienced a situation somewhat similar to his, I understand his arguments”, continued “DD” about his vice-captain.

“As our paths diverge, I wanted to salute his honesty, his unfailing commitment to the blue jersey. Raphaël has played a central role on and off the pitch over the past decade. I took great pleasure in being his coach,” he concluded.