Raphael Varane left Manchester United for Como on a free transfer in the summer but was forced in to retirement after picking up an injury on his debut.
The defender left United on a high though, with his final game coming at Wembley with a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
In an interview with The Athletic, Varane reflected on that game.
The players really came together for the same goal with a clear idea of how to play. It is not only an individual achievement but a collective one, to make the players believe that it was possible. The players accepted the challenge and managed to forget everything negative that had happened to really be 100 per cent in this match.
I wanted the best for the team. Sometimes I said things to the coach, not for me, but for the team, or because players felt things. The FA Cup was not about proving something to him at all. My motivation was to achieve with the team, to make the fans happy and above all to experience this feeling of entering the pitch as a gladiator who returns victorious. It’s the best feeling.
Varane also discussed the impact of the supporters who really motivated the players to do their best.
It was a huge source of motivation and we wanted to repay the love they gave us on the pitch. We were ready to fight and even in difficult situations, we never gave up.
I have so much respect and love for the club that I can only be positive. Even when I say things that aren’t going well, it’s well intentioned and constructive. It’s not to point the finger at someone. I only wish the club well and hope they succeed.
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