Varane Slams Football Schedule Days After International Retirement From France Duty

• Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is not too pleased with growing football schedule
• The former France international announced his national team retirement days ago
• His recent words has now given a possible hint to why he retired for his country at 29

Football schedule has grown significantly over the years with the birth of new competitions both in clubs and national football, which has led to much outcry over player's welfare due to the packed number of games.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane announced his international retirement last week much to the amazement of everyone in the football world as he is just 29 and coming off the back of consecutive FIFA World Cup finals.

He gave no reason for his early retirement but judging by his recent statement about football schedule, it has left fans guessing he retired due to the packed football schedule.

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Football

Varane condemns packed football schedule

Last season, Liverpool played all possible 63 games last season, having reached the finals of the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, according to This Is Anfield.

The schedule overload has been criticised by players in the past including Ilkay Gundogan and Thibaut Courtois, as well as managers Pep Guardiola and Jurgen. Varane, speaking to Canal+ as quoted by Eurosport, has now joined the wagon.

“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. We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop. Right now, I feel like I'm suffocating,” he said.

This comments have left fans speculating the former Real Madrid defender called it quits on his international career due to the many games, and with UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024 coming soon, he took a bow.

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Deschamps react to Varane's retirement

Sports Brief earlier reported that France head coach Didier Deschamps expressed disappointment over Varane's decision to retire from the national team.

The French boss who extended his stay with the national team till the end of 2026 would have hoped to have one of his experienced players in the team.

The defender missed the first games of the World Cup due to injury but returned to help Les Bleus reach the final of Qatar 2022 World Cup which they lost to eventual winner Argentina.