Cristiano Ronaldo has paid a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate Raphael Varane following the French defender’s recent announcement of his retirement from professional football.
Varane, who spent years alongside Ronaldo at both Real Madrid and Manchester United, confirmed his decision to hang up his boots on Wednesday, citing ongoing injury struggles as a key factor.
Varane, 30, revealed the news via Instagram, marking the end of a glittering 16-year career that saw him achieve football’s highest honours.
In response to Varane’s post, Ronaldo expressed his admiration for his former colleague, writing: “A great career and a football legend! Congratulations for everything, brother, hope to see you soon.”
Varane and Ronaldo were teammates for seven years at Real Madrid, playing a total of 233 matches together between 2011 and 2018. During this period, they won an incredible 14 major trophies, cementing their legacies as two of the club’s all-time greats. Their shared trophy haul includes four UEFA Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), two La Liga crowns (2012, 2017), three UEFA Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, and a Copa del Rey title in 2014.
The two were key players in one of the most dominant eras in the history of European football, forming a formidable partnership at the heart of a Real Madrid side that reigned supreme both in Spain and across the continent. Ronaldo, as the club’s talismanic forward, and Varane, as one of its defensive pillars, shared moments of immense success, including Real Madrid’s remarkable “three-peat” of consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.
After leaving Real Madrid in 2018, Ronaldo joined Juventus, while Varane remained at the Santiago Bernabéu for another three seasons. In 2021, however, fate reunited them at Manchester United, where the duo played another 22 matches together during the 2021/2022 season, though this stint did not yield the same level of success as their time at Real Madrid.
Varane’s final chapter in football was with Serie A side Como, but it was marred by injuries, limiting his playing time and ultimately forcing him to retire earlier than expected. Despite this unfortunate end to his career, Varane leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of football’s greatest defenders, having also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.
In total, Varane played 462 matches for Real Madrid and won 18 trophies. His international career saw him earn 93 caps for France, and he played a pivotal role in their 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph in Russia, where he was an integral part of the team’s defence. He also helped France win the UEFA Nations League in 2021, solidifying his place as one of his country’s most decorated players on the international stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s tribute, calling Varane a “football legend,” reflects the respect and bond the two players share after years of triumphs together. Despite Varane’s premature retirement, his contributions to both club and country remain monumental, and his absence will be felt across the football world.
