Manchester United star Raphael Varane has been slammed for his "stupid" decision to retire from international football.
Varane announced his shock decision on Thursday, having earned 93 caps for France and helped them to win the World Cup in 2018. The defender, who is still only 29, made the move so he could concentrate on his club football at Old Trafford.
Many in France and across the football world opted to celebrate Varane for his achievements on the international stage. But not everyone was able to contain their frustration about the defender hanging up his France shirt so early in his career.
Former France international Jerome Rothen, who won 13 caps during a four-year career with Les Bleus, believes Varane is making the wrong decision. And he lamented the 29-year-old's move to switch his focus to the Red Devils.
"I think that at this age and when you play in a club that allows you to be at a very high level, you have a duty. It is to bring your talent to your country. It is a disaster," Rothen told AS.
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“You have a long history, congratulations! He won the most beautiful of competitions, the World Cup in 2018. We saw all his contribution to the last World Cup. There was skepticism because he was coming off an injury, but he performed very well.
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Former France international Jerome Rothen has lamented Varane's decision (Getty Images)"But I tell myself: what a decision! It's a disaster to hear that, not to wear the national team shirt again at 29 years of age. He can't do that. Raphael, don't forget you brought a lot, but here you are doing something stupid! The competition? He put the players in his pocket.
"It's crazy major in this group. I only give one reasoning: if he stops at 29, it is because the atmosphere should not be as good as that of the French team. Which France national team player retired at 29?"
When he announced his decision to retire, Varane insisted it had been a tough one to make. But he insisted that the time was right for the next generation to step up and take his place in the national team.
"Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field," he said.
"I’ve been contemplating this for several months and deciding it’s the right time for me to retire internationally. We brought home the Cup! I will never forget it. I still feel every single one of the emotions felt on that day, July 15, 2018.
"That was one of the most amazing and memorable moments of my life. Even after the defeat in the final last year, with a beautiful course, you welcomed us as heroes when we returned. To each and every one of you, THANK YOU a thousand times!
"I will miss these moments with you for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over. We have a bunch of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you."
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