Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has played his final game for France. So he believes…
After fighting back from injury to just about make the World Cup, Raphael Varane came within a penalty shootout of being a back-to-back world champion. The gruelling topsy-turvy 120 minutes in the final in Qatar was the last straw for Varane, who announced after the tournament that he is retiring from international football.
Varane cited mental exhaustion as well as physical. He was quoted by FIFPro in February: “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 the player is gobbling up the man.”
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Raphael Varane considered for France Olympic ‘Dream Team’
Raphael Varane’s retirement from the France international team stands to benefit Manchester United. He is one fewer player to worry about returning injured when the season pauses, and he can spend extra time resting up.
Varane’s words indicate he has no intention of changing his mind, his reasoning is well considered.
However, he may be put to the test, with an opportunity to return for a one-off in 2024.
Next summer Paris host the Olympic Games, and as host nation, France want to win every medal possible.
It makes sense that they will go full tilt to try and win the Gold medal in football, an under-23 competition with three overage players permitted.
French newspaper L’Equipe reports France want to put together a ‘Dream Team’ for the tournament, which will involve Raphael Varane.
Three over-23 players are listed who the FFF want to target to feature at the games, Kylian Mbappe, Raphael Varane, and Hugo Lloris.
Mbappe is a near certainty, as an iconic figure around the world, France are set on having him as a cornerstone of the team.
The report reads: “The FFF hopes to present the best possible team around the Parisian striker to aim for gold at the 2024 Olympics.”
Whether Raphael Varane will consider the call, remains to be seen. But it’s hard to think he might not be a little bit tempted.
An added complication is the date of the Olympics in 2024. It begins on July 26 and ends on August 11. If the schedule follows this season, this would see Varane miss the last two weeks of build-up to pre-season.
At the previous Olympics, Manchester United saw two players compete for Ivory Coast, with Amad Diallo, and Eric Bailly as an overage player.
Back in 2012, Great Britain fielded a one-off team, which saw Ryan Giggs line-up in the same side as Jack Butland.
No decision is needed yet from Varane. France’s plans are only just being formulated. But it is one to watch over the next year.
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