Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has shocked the football world by announcing his retirement, just two months after signing with Serie A side Como.

Varane left Manchester United at the end of the 2023-24 season as a free agent, following a three-year stint at Old Trafford that was plagued by injuries.

Before his time in England, he enjoyed a highly successful decade with Real Madrid, where he won three La Liga titles and lifted the Champions League trophy four times. Varane also played a crucial role in France’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup.

In July, the 31-year-old joined newly promoted Como, managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas. Unfortunately, Varane sustained a knee injury on his debut last month, and this setback has led him to call time on his illustrious career.

In an emotional Instagram post, Varane reflected on his decision to retire:

“They say all good things must come to an end. Throughout my career, I have faced countless challenges, overcoming many that seemed impossible. I’ve always held myself to the highest standard and now, I want to go out strong, not just hold on to the game. It takes courage to listen to your heart and instincts.

“Desire and needs are two different things. I’ve fallen and risen a thousand times, but this time, it’s the moment to stop. My final game, winning a trophy at Wembley, feels like the perfect conclusion.

“I have no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve won more than I ever dreamed of, but beyond the trophies, I’m proud to have stayed true to my values and always aimed to leave each place better than I found it.

“A new chapter now begins, off the pitch. I will continue with Como, but without my boots and shin pads. I’m excited to share more about this next phase soon.”

Varane’s unexpected retirement has left many fans reminiscing about his remarkable career, while eagerly awaiting details of his future involvement with Como.

Thibaut Courtois has become the latest high-profile player to voice concerns about the congested football calendar, citing the lack of a proper summer break as the key factor contributing to player burnout.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper, who missed much of the previous season due to injury, skipped Belgium’s squad for this summer’s European Championship.

According to Courtois, the problem isn’t the number of matches but the short turnaround between seasons.

Drawing a comparison with the NBA, which has an intense schedule from October to April and playoffs running until June, Courtois highlighted the extended rest period between basketball seasons.

In an interview with Marca, Courtois explained: “It’s not so much about the games themselves but the break between seasons.

Players who go deep into tournaments like the Copa América or the Euros only get about three weeks of vacation.

That’s impossible. In the NBA, they also play a demanding schedule, but they have four months to rest. That’s the big difference.”

His remarks follow similar concerns raised by Manchester City star Rodri, who recently warned that players were considering a strike due to the overloaded schedule.

Other players have also expressed frustration with the demands of modern football.

Some critics argue that players should accept the intense schedule due to the high wages they receive, but Courtois dismisses this notion. “The two things are unrelated,” he responded. “There’s enough income in football to pay the salaries. Back in 2021, I spoke out against the Nations League, saying it was too much and that we shouldn’t play it. People laughed at me, but look at where we are now. In the NBA, they play many games, but they also get a long offseason.”

Courtois noted that his own decision to skip international duty has allowed him to rest and recover properly.

“I feel good because I had time to rest. But for players in the Euros or Copa América, there’s no time to recuperate.”

Other players, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Youri Tielemans, have also voiced concerns over the grueling schedule.

The issue has been exacerbated by the new Champions League format, which adds at least two extra games for participating clubs, putting even more strain on players.

Football legend Luis Figo has dismissed the idea of players striking over the increasingly packed football schedule.

This week, the revamped Champions League started with a new format that expands the group stage from six to eight games, with the potential for two additional play-off matches.

The calendar congestion has drawn criticism from top players, including Manchester City’s Rodri and Liverpool’s Alisson, who expressed concern over the relentless fixture load. Rodri even suggested that players are “close” to striking if the number of games continues to rise.

With the introduction of the new Club World Cup, Manchester City could face up to 73 matches across all competitions this season.

Despite the complaints, Figo, who enjoyed a stellar career with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and the Portuguese national team, defended the increase in games, citing financial benefits for the players.

“We need to find the best solution,” said Figo. “But it’s only logical that there are more matches. It’s like a snowball effect—more matches lead to bigger contracts. If the number of games decreases, player contracts will also be reduced.”

Rodri had earlier voiced the growing frustration among players ahead of the European campaign, hinting at potential strike action. “I think we are close to that [striking],” Rodri said.

“It’s easy to understand why. Ask any player, and they’ll tell you the same. If this continues, we may reach a point where we have no other option. It’s something that really concerns us.”

The Manchester City star emphasized that the increasing number of games impacts the quality of football, adding, “Not everything is about money or marketing; it’s also about the quality of the show.”

Rodri’s concerns echoed those of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who also criticized the expanding fixture list. Meanwhile, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is considering legal action against FIFA due to what they describe as an “overloaded and unworkable” schedule.

A PFA spokesperson added, “In recent weeks, our members have made their feelings clear regarding the fixture congestion and player workload. Players and their unions have asked to be heard and to play a central role in decision-making processes. When ignored, the natural consequence is that players will start considering all available options.”

The PFA warned that players have reached a breaking point, stating, “Enough is enough, and this must serve as a serious wake-up call to the authorities.”