Repeated physical problems
©IMAGO
This article was first published on September 25 at 9:28 a.m. and was updated after confirmation.
In 2003, Como 1907 – then still known as Como FC – was relegated from Serie A. A good 21 years later, the promoted team celebrated its first victory after returning to the Italian top flight on matchday 5. The final score was 3:2 against Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo. Former Hertha player Marc Oliver Kempf and ex-Barcelona captain Sergi Roberto were also on the pitch. Raphaël Varane was once again missing, however.
“This is just the beginning for me, we have to build something important with the club,” said coach Cesc Fàbregas after the game on “DAZN”. Varane, who announced his immediate retirement on Wednesday despite a contract running until 2026, is no longer part of this project sooner than expected. Having only joined from Manchester United in the summer as a free transfer, the central defender has been suffering from a knee injury for several weeks, which is why he has not yet played a game in Serie A. He only played 23 minutes for Como in the Coppa Italia. Now the final blow has come.
“They say all good things must come to an end. In my professional career, I have faced many challenges and faced one task after another, almost all of which were considered impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. When I think back to these moments, it is with great pride and a sense of fulfillment that I announce my retirement from the game we all love,” Varane wrote on Instagram.
Varane has been struggling with physical problems in recent years. A total of 48 missed games are recorded in the transfer market database during his three-year time at Man United. His latest injury would have put him out of action for months again. But Varane will not be leaving Como, as he confirmed: “And so a new life begins off the pitch. I will stay at Como. Just without using my shoes and shin guards. I look forward to reporting more about that soon.”
Varane wanted to make a new start at Como – won the Champions League 4 times
Varane originally wanted to make another attempt in Como. “I have a lot of experience at the highest level, and now being able to share this knowledge and help a club to build itself up and hopefully reach the top is super exciting,” Varane said at his presentation at the end of July. At the time, he was the second most valuable defender without a club in the world. His market value was last at 20 million euros, making him by far the most valuable professional in the Como squad and now the one with the highest market value at the end of his career.
Varane won the World Cup with the French national team in 2018 and has played a total of 93 international matches. At club level, he played the longest for Real Madrid from 2011 to 2021, with whom he won four Champions League titles, among other things. His highest market value was once 80 million euros.
