French defender Raphael Varane, age 31, bows out from football

ANKARA

French defender Raphael Varane on Wednesday announced his retirement from professional football at age 31.

On social media, the 2018 World Cup winner shared a video, a compilation of memories from his football career titled "Thank you, football."

In 2011, Varane, 18 years old, joined Spanish LaLiga powerhouse Real Madrid and helped the club clinch 18 trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three Spanish LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.

He then moved to English Premier League side Manchester United in 2021 and helped it bag one English League Cup and one FA Cup.

Varane this July joined Italian Serie A newcomers Como from Manchester United.

Separately, the 31-year-old won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League trophies with France.