Raphael Varane has revealed that he decided to retire from international football due to struggling to cope with football's 'overloaded schedule'.
Varane called time on his international career on Thursday, despite seemingly being at his peak and still two months shy of his 30th birthday.
But the Manchester United defender has opened up on how having to consistently play at the highest level has taken its toll on him and led to him taking the difficult decision to stop playing for France.
'I gave everything, physically and mentally. But the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop,' Varane said in an interview with Canal+ that is due to be released in full on Sunday.
'We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop. Right now, I feel like I’m suffocating and that [Varane] the player is gobbling up [Varane] the man.'
Varane's announcement was even more of a shock considering he appeared to be in pole position to be France's next captain after Hugo Lloris confirmed his international retirement last month.
Varane picked up 93 caps for his country after making his debut in 2013, and was a mainstay at the heart of the defence for a decade.
He played every minute at the 2018 World Cup as Les Bleus lifted the trophy for the second time in their history, and he played a key role in France's run to the final in Qatar last year.
The 29-year-old also won the Nations League with his country in 2021, as France came from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in the final.
More to follow...