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2 weeks ago
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Raphaël Varane has left his mark on more than one player in his career. Since announcing his retirement on Wednesday, the former French international has seen a shower of tributes fall on him. His former Real Madrid teammates, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, have obviously joined in the game, as have several 2018 world champions. After Paul Pogba and Hugo Lloris, it was Blaise Matuidi who wanted to salute the career of his former teammate. “Huge, just huge. That’s how I define Raphael’s career. People don’t realize…”expressed the former Parisian in an interview with The Team.
“He started playing at 17 and everything he achieved after that was simply exceptional: establishing himself in such a big club, winning so many titles, putting in such great performances. Rafa is a great player, a great man too. A memory? But there are so many. I remember those moments when we had our backs against the wall to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. I also remember those moments of immense joy in 2018, but also those of suffering when he withdrew from Euro 2016. We went through great times, but also moments of sadness. But Rafa remained the same. I just say: hats off to the artist. I have rarely seen someone who was unanimously popular like him. A leader like you don’t really realize. In the locker room, he always had the words to remobilize everyone.» The two players will have spent 6 years together in the Blues during their career (2013-2019).
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
