France defender Varane announces international retirement at 29 / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP/File
-
Oil falls, stocks steady as Trump hails 'good' Iran talks
-
Renard versus Queiroz in AFCON qualifying blockbuster
-
UK sets up unit to combat disinformation from Russia, AI
-
Former Mexico boss Aguirre returns to Spain with Valencia
-
ICC convicts C.Africa rebel leader
-
China swimmer, 13, seals Games hat-trick as North Korea win first gold
-
China's Yu, 13, wins third gold with latest Asian Games record
-
China's Xi heads to US for talks with Trump: state media
-
UK says will revisit Chagos deal after latest Trump criticism
-
Azerbaijan pardons Frenchman after EU lifts sanctions on oligarchs
-
In first, French presidential candidate gives birth during campaign
-
Hadjar extends Red Bull contract for 2027 F1 season
-
Cambodia no 'safe haven' for cyberscams, PM says
-
Black Sea drone attacks spell terror for Turkish sailors
-
North Korea weightlifter sets three world records for Asian Games gold
-
Canada judge to decide prison term for suicide poison seller
-
A Full Moon for Every Child: STARTRADER's STARCARES Brings Support to SOS Children's Village Ho Chi Minh City
-
Weinstein faces resentencing in New York for 2006 sex assault
-
Meta leans into AI, smart glasses amid privacy pushback
-
Outgoing UN chief makes climate push at New York summit
-
Battered Duerer masterpiece up for five-year revamp
-
AI risks, Iran war to take center stage at UN
-
Trump met with Venezuela's interim leader at UN
-
Badminton no.1 An tells dad to keep it down at Asian Games
-
Malaysia furore after Najib wins conditional house arrest
-
Runaway leader Antonelli eyeing third straight win
-
Italy hope for new dawn under Mancini
-
Schoolgirl Yu, 13, fastest again in bid for third Asian Games gold
-
Mongolian herders enlist new tech against harsher, drier climate
-
Oil prices fall after Trump hails 'good' talks with Iran
-
Tata turmoil shines light on India succession woes
-
AI political ads warp reality ahead of US midterms
-
World Cup 'not enough' as Spain begin next chapter
-
Kenneth Branagh embraces action hero role -- to get in shape
-
Meta acts against 3.7 mn scammers' accounts with Singapore police help
-
'New one' Klopp promises fresh approach as Germany reign begins
-
Australia PM says draft social media rules about taking back control
-
Milne returns to New Zealand squad for India T20 series
-
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Monthly Cost?
-
Tocvan Expands El Mezquite; Drilling Returns 106.8 m of 0.5 g/t Au
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - September 23
-
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Notification of Relevant Change to Significant Shareholder
-
Great Western Mining Corporation plc Announces Completion of Drilling: Defender Tungsten Project
-
Warpaint London PLC Announces Interim Results
-
The Longview: Fireside Chat with Biodexa CEO Stephen Stamp
-
Algo Grande Copper Confirms 68.43 Metres of Copper-Silver-Gold Mineralization Across Two Zones in Hole AG-CG-PH2-002, Including a New Zone of 38.20 Metres at 1.0% CuEq
-
Voting opens in Alaska's annual Fat Bear Week
-
US-led Americas coalition backs sanctions against crime groups
-
MLS coach axed for telling female ref 'It's a man's game'
-
'Star Wars' fans and art lovers line up for new Lucas museum
France defender Varane announces international retirement at 29
France centre-back Raphael Varane, a World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up last year, announced Thursday his retirement from international duty at the age of 29.
"I've been thinking about it for several months and I decided it was the right time for me to retire from international football," Varane wrote on Instagram.
The Manchester United defender made his France debut in 2013 and won 93 caps for Les Bleus. He had been in the running to take over as captain following the retirement of Hugo Lloris last month.
"To represent our magnificent country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Each time I wore this special blue shirt I felt immense pride," said Varane.
Varane's decision to call time on his France career leaves Kylian Mbappe as the frontrunner for the captaincy, with Didier Deschamps' side set to begin Euro 2024 qualifying at the end of March with a double-header against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
The former Real Madrid star played every minute of his country's triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign as France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final.
He was one of five French players who also started the 2022 final defeat by Argentina on penalties, recovering from a leg injury that ruled him out of the start of the tournament.
"I'll definitely miss these moments with you, but the time has come for the new generation to take over," he said, thanking Deschamps and his coaching staff as well as the supporters.
"We have a group of talented young players who are ready to step up and who deserve their chance."
Deschamps paid tribute to Varane and praised him for the leadership qualities he had brought to the team throughout his time with France.
"I cannot turn this page without some emotion, given the bonds we have formed," said Deschamps, who gave Varane his international debut in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
"I respect his decision even if it may seem a bit unfortunate given everything he was able to do with the national team through to the World Cup, during which he behaved like the leader we know he is from start to finish."
A.O.Scott--AT
