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Virgil van Dijk sends classy message to Raphael Varane as former Man Utd star retires

Van Dijk - Varane
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Virgil van Dijk has paid tribute to his former adversary Raphael Varane as the former Manchester United defender announced his retirement.

Varane has called time on his glittering career at the age of 31 after suffering a serious knee injury playing for new club Como. The center-back joined the newly-promoted Serie A side on a two-year deal having left United in the summer at the end of his contract.

The former Real Madrid and France superstar sustained a knee injury on his debut during a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria and was subsequently removed from Como’s squad list for the league season. Having struggled with various injury problems during his time at Old Trafford, the World Cup-winning center-back decided that enough was enough.

Varane revealed he is calling time on his career with a moving post on Instagram where he thanked his former clubs, teammates and fans for helping him on the way to achieve his dreams. A number of Varane’s former teammates congratulated him on his illustrious career, including a plethora of his ex-United colleagues.

But such was the success that the Frenchman enjoyed, his old adversaries also paid tribute to him. In the comments section of Varane’s post, Van Dijk commented a clapping hands emoji, while Ibrahima Konate, who played alongside the four-time Champions League winner internationally, commented a clapping hands emoji and a number of red heart emojis.

Varane and Van Dijk most notably came up against each other in the 2018 Champions League final when a Gareth Bale-inspired Los Blancos beat Liverpool 3-1 to claim a hat-trick of European titles.

Varane will undoubtedly go down as one of the best defenders in history having won the Champions League four times, picking up three La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey during his 10 year spell at Real Madrid where he played 360 times in all competitions.

Arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu as a teenager from Ligue 1 club Lens, Varane’s remarkable time in Madrid saw him make up half of an incredible duo alongside Sergio Ramos. During his prime years at Real, Varane also lifted the World Cup with France in 2018.

The defender joined United in 2021 where he played 90 times across three seasons at Old Trafford. Varane struggled to remain injury-free for a prolonged period and was unable to nail down a place at United before leaving at the end of his contract with a Carabao Cup and FA Cup trophy to his name.

A segment of Varane's retirement announcement read: "I have loved fighting for myself, my clubs, my country, my teammates and the supporters of every team I have played for. From Lens to Madrid to Manchester, and playing for our national team. I have defended every badge with everything I have, and loved every minute of the journey."