Raphael Varane has revealed he played the final 11 years of his career - including his three seasons at - with only “one knee”. And the France World Cup winner admitted: “I haven’t tackled for years”.
Varane announced his retirement at the age of 31 last month after suffering a left knee injury on his debut for Como. And the former star said his left knee had been compensating for his right knee since an injury to his meniscus in 2013.
“So if my left knee was telling me it had had enough, I had to listen,” Varane told L’Equipe. “Since the age of 20, I have played with the sword of Damocles hanging above my right knee. The right knee had become strong but less mobile and my left knee did everything for power and pushing off. How did I play for 11 years with one knee? With a lot of effort, sacrifices, care and learning to manage a new balance.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
“Psychologically, when I entered the pitch, I couldn’t say to the others, or even myself, that I had only one knee. In fact, if you only looked at the knee, you would worry. I knew I could get hurt, break my knee, but we all live with risk. We don’t put our lives on the line like gladiators but we play with our physical issues, that is who we are. Since we were small, we are tough guys. We have played with pain all our lives.”
Varane, who won four titles with Real Madrid, added: “I sometimes said that to myself: ‘With two legs, that would have been something’. I take all that lightly but it’s also because I had this problem, I mastered my art.
"I haven’t tackled for years. I wait for the right moment to make an impact in a duel, when to stop, accelerate or start my run before an attacker. I wouldn’t have mastered my position as much without this knee. When I see young players with exceptional physical abilities, I wonder if they put as much energy into managing their position, they would be monsters.”
Varane, who won the in his final appearance for Manchester United, added: “I am not sure careers last longer. The average age is falling, for example, in the . If I had stopped before, I would have had regrets. Now I know I could go no further and I can be proud of all that.”
Varane, who signed for Real Madrid in 20111, also claimed there is “less creativity, fewer geniuses on the pitch” in modern football. “Everything is robotic, there are game patterns that make it difficult to shake up a team’s block,” he said. “There is much less freedom.”
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
You may also like
London sides with Ottawa in diplomatic row with India
Rio Ferdinand at odds with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on Thomas Tuchel appointment
South African Police detain suspects for mass shooting
Bayern Munich chief takes brutal dig at 'catastrophic' new England boss Thomas Tuchel
Liam Payne's haunting final post just weeks before One Direction star's tragic death at 31
The Repair Shop fans emotiobnal after Chris Shaw restores special war book that saved man's life
Angela Rayner among Labour ministers furious as 'biggest tax raid in history' mooted
Canada intel boss flagged 'Pak role' in 'extremism'
Inside life of NCIS LA's Linda Hunt from bullying and car crash to decades-long romance
Luke Littler 'signs major TV deal' as darts star set to join Freddie Flintoff on screen
Tennis news: Carlos Alcaraz pairs up with Roger Federer as Rafa Nadal eyes new job
Had no proof, only intel when we first accused India: Justin Trudeau
Nikita Mazepin speaks out on potential F1 return after driver's sanctions were removed
Who Was Sean O'Neil? Ex-NYPD Detective Kills Himself After Fatally Shooting Wife
ROYAL FAMILY RECAP: Prince Harry and Meghan's triple 'snub' shows 'tide is turning'
Erik ten Hag has huge injury list as Manchester United problems continue to mount
Raphael Varane played final 11 years of career 'on one knee' - including at Man Utd
Alia Bhatt Lauds Kriti Sanon, Kajol Starrer Do Patti Trailer, Don't Miss TBMAUJ Actress' Reaction
Fire At Recycling Facility Near Rogers Airport Prompts Warning, Videos Surface Of Massive Smoke | WATCH
Railways told to pay Rs 4.7 lakh to passenger for bag theft