Varane breaks silence 18 months after early Como retirement: ‘Difficult journey’

Raphael Varane has opened up about his ‘difficult journey’ from a player to club ambassador with Como, 18 months after his career was ended just a few minutes into his debut with Cesc Fabregas’s side. 

Varane joined Como on a free transfer after the end of his spell with Manchester United in the summer of 2024, but announced in September of that year that he would be hanging up his boots after suffering a serious injury just 23 minutes into his first appearance for the club: A 1-1 draw with Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia first round. 

Despite the shock end to his playing career at the age of just 31, Varane has stayed on with Como and is currently acting in an ambassadorial role.