Players are overworked – Varane opens up on retirement from French national team

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has explained why he retired early from international duty for France.

Varane had announced his retirement from international football in February at the age of 29.

The French footballer who cited “suffocating” schedule as his reason for retirement, has further revealed that players are overworked, and it might get worse.

He said;

“The calendar is already more than full, the players are overworked and it will get even worse. I’m afraid that we will witness much shorter careers and that players will have to give up the France team very early because, physically or mentally, what we are asking for today is simply beyond limits. The fact that I announced the end of my international career and not having hidden the reasons, that resonated with many players.

“Believe me, all the international players who play in Europe and never stop go through periods of poor form lasting several months, or they get injured. The young players who start in the France team there, those who have played in the World Cup, are going to have to make a lot of sacrifices if they want to stay on top for ten years. And it might be harder than what I’ve experienced.”

Varane won 93 caps for his country, winning the World Cup in 2018, and is the 13th top appearance maker in France’s history.

Belgium and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had also claimed that players are treated like “robots” in a recent interview, given the recent football schedule.