"I've been thinking about it for several months and I've decided it's the right time for me to retire from international football," the current Manchester United player, who has been with the Blues since 2013, wrote on Instagram.
The France team loses a third pillar of the tricolor locker room after the departure of captain Hugo Lloris and his lining in the cage Steve Mandanda, who both said goodbye to the selection last month.
Varane's announcement is more surprising, insofar as he was applying to become the future captain of the Blues at the start of qualifying for Euro-2024 scheduled for the end of March.
At 29, the former Real Madrid player stops his counter at 93 selections, ten years after his debut under the tricolor tunic, in March 2013.
"Immense pride"
"Representing our beautiful country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every time I have worn this special blue jersey, I have felt immense pride," he wrote. in his message, where the reasons for his choice are not revealed.
In his text, the player trained in Lens looks back on his pride in having won the World Cup more than four years ago in Russia, against Croatia in the final (4-2).
"I will never forget it. I still feel every emotion I felt that day, July 15, 2018. It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life," he says. .
After the World Cup-2022 final lost against Argentina (3-3 aet, 4-2 tab), on December 18, Varane had given no indication of his future in the France team.
When announcing his choice on Thursday, he thanked his coach Didier Deschamps and his staff, as well as the supporters.
"I will miss those moments with you for sure, but now is the time for the new generation to take over. We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve their chance and who needs you".
© 2023 AFP