sport news Didier Deschamps pays emotional tribute to Raphael Varane praising his ... trends now
Didier Deschamps was quick to praise Raphael Varane after the former French defender announced his shock retirement from international football, aged 29.
The Les Bleus boss hailed Varane's honesty and commitment for France when revealing the Manchester United defender has called him 'a few days ago' to inform Deschamps of his decision.
Varane is now the fourth 2018 World Cup winner to retire from international duty, following Hugo Lloris's announcement and that of former No 2 Steve Mandanda, with Blaise Matuidi having hung up his blue jersey in 2019.
Deschamps admitted that he could empathise with his former defender's decision, having 'experienced a situation similar', and claimed Varane had told him he had reached the end of his 'adventure' with Les Bleus.
'Raphaël called me a few days ago to explain to me that he wanted to end his international career,' Deschamps began. 'He is an intelligent boy, who knows how to take the time to reflect, weigh the pros and cons before deciding,' Deschamps began. Without going into the details of our exchange, Raphaël believes that he has reached the end of his adventure with the French team.'
Didier Deschamps hailed Raphael Varane's commitment to the blue jersey during his career
The 29-year-old is the fourth member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad to retire
'I experienced a situation somewhat similar to his, I understand his arguments and respect his decision even if it may seem regrettable in view of all that he was able to do with the selection until the World Cup during which he behaved, from start to finish, like the leader we know.
'Of course, I can't turn this page without a certain emotion, given the ties we've forged since August 2012. Like Hugo Lloris, he will have been on all my team sheets, barring injury. Raphaël, who was then a young talent in the making at Real Madrid, was in my first team for the friendly match against Uruguay in Le Havre. He quickly
