Raphaël Varane’s retirement serves as cautionary tale amid talk of strikes | OneFootball

Only a year after announcing his retirement from international duty with France, Raphaël Varane would bring the curtains down fully on his playing career. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United centre-back’s time in the game had been blighted with injury problems. However, his latest setback, coming on the 11th of August only 23 minutes into his debut for Como 1907, would be his last.

Varane would suffer a serious knee injury against Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia that would rule him out for months. It was a situation that led the newly promoted side to exclude the former World Cup winner from their Serie A squad list. “They say all good things must come to an end,” Varane would announce a month later on the 25th of September, but surely the 31-year-old had not expected the end to come so soon.

The surprising step back from France in February 2023 was a conscious effort from the centre-back to reduce his workload after his move to Manchester United had been seriously impacted by recurrent injuries. The defender had missed a total of 38 games after being injured 11 times during his three-season stay. The plan was to experience a fresh start in Italy, but instead, his retirement serves as a timely warning amid growing discontent.

‘Why are our opinions not being heard?’

There is something of a cautionary tale about how Varane’s career would come to an abrupt end, particularly considering how the defender had in more recent seasons become an outspoken advocate for player welfare. Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Varane released a statement across his social media criticising the FA’s now scrapped plan to implement more rigid additional time like in the 2022 World Cup which saw games run for over 100 minutes.

The centre-back was deeply concerned by the FA’s plans which the player’s union (FIFPro) argued would amount to players playing in effect three additional games across the entire season due to the increased stoppage time. As Varane stated, “From the managers to the players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is too overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental well-being.”

“Despite our previous feedback, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?” Varane asked. A poignant question and one that has been consistently asked by players this season as they begin to float an almost unthinkable and unprecedented idea in the face of calendar bloat: industrial action.

‘We’re the guys that suffer’

The idea was embraced by Manchester City midfielder Rodri ahead of the club’s Champions League fixture against Internazionale. When asked if striking could be an option for players, he warned “I think we are close to that – it is easy to understand. If you ask any player he will say the same; it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. It’s the general opinion of the players. And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”

Four days after City played Inter, Rodri would make his season debut for the English club against title rivals Arsenal as they battled to a 2-2 draw. City had carefully managed Rodri’s workload this season after the Spaniard played 63 games for club and country last campaign. However, despite their careful preparation, the midfielder would still suffer a serious injury during the match, and it’s predicted that he could miss the rest of the season.

The amount Rodri played was astounding, a figure helped by the fact that he was part of the Spain squad that reached the Euros final. However, the number of games players are playing is only increasing and some teams like City could potentially play a maximum of 85 games this season due to the expansions of the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

‘I know that I’ve damaged my body’

Varane’s retirement at just 31 years old comes as a warning and one that might not be missed by his now-former colleagues. The defender had been clear that while he adores the sport, his love for it has done irreparable damage to his body. As he explained in an interview with L’Équipe, “I know that, personally, I won’t live until 100; I know that I have damaged my body […] I have put myself in danger. By speaking about it, situations can perhaps be better analysed and take decisions based on the risks.”

His words unfortunately have not yet been enough to dissuade football from carrying on down its current path to pursue an ever-bloated and saturated calendar at the risk of player safety. However, perhaps his act of stepping away from the game may serve a larger purpose, the cautionary tale of what can happen when the body is placed under constant stress, and a reminder to players that they cannot rely on the goodwill of the game’s organisers to act as their safeguards.

GFFN | Nick Hartland