Raphael Varane Candidly Opens up On Decision to Quit French National Team

• Varane announced his retirement from international football two months shy of his 30th birthday
• The decision shocked many, as the World Cup and Nations League winner was crucial for Didier Deschamps’ side in recent years
• Speaking on his decision, Varane admitted he was “suffocating” because of the crammed fixture schedule

Manchester United centre back Raphael Varane has opened up for the first time on his shock decision to hang his international boots.

The 2018 World Cup winner stunned fans earlier in the week after he announced he was quitting the French national team aged just 29.

What made it even more shocking was reports claiming Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps was planning on making him captain of the national team.

Varane did an interview with Canal+, which is set to be released on Sunday, where he opened up on what led to his decision.

Graham Potter reveals the truth behind Cucurella's Chelsea struggles

Football

The former Real Madrid man, who has 93 caps for France, said as quoted on TalkSport:

“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 and that [Varane] the player is gobbling up [Varane] the man.”

Deschamps also recently commented on Varane’s decision as he expressed his disappointment that one of his key men retired so early.

“Of course, I can not turn this page without a certain emotion, given our close ties since August 2012.” He said.

“Like Hugo Lloris, he would have been, without injury, in all of my squads.”