Man United Defender Raphaël Varane Retires From International Football With France.

Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football with France at just age 29.

Varane who won the World Cup in 2018, scored five goals in 93 appearances for his country after making his debut against Georgia in March 2013.

He helped his country to become World champions in 2018, following their 4-2 victory over Croatia while also claiming a UEFA Nations League crown in 2021.

The last of his caps was won in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, in which France were defeated by Argentina via penalties.

"Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life," Varane said on Thursday via a post on his Instagram page.

"Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field.

"I've been contemplating this for several months and deciding it's the right time for me to retire internationally."

Varane, who signed for United from Real Madrid in August 2021, is the latest Les Bleus player to retire after the World Cup.

In January, Tottenham goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris stepped down three weeks after the final.

Varane had been expected to take over the French captaincy from Lloris, but instead he is now following the lead of fellow countryman Lloris by walking away from the France squad due to a heavy schedule of domestic and international football is taking its toll him, and he now wants to spend more time with his family.

"As a child, I remember following France 98, this team, these players who made us experience indescribable emotions," Varane added.

"I dreamed of being our heroes and 20 years later I lived one of the best experiences of my life, one that made me really proud. We brought home the Cup!

"I will never forget it. I still feel every single one of the emotions felt on that day, July 15, 2018. That was one of the most amazing and memorable moments of my life.

"I will miss these moments with you (the fans) for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over.

"I will miss these moments for sure. But the time has come for the new generation to take over."

"We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you."