Cristiano Ronaldo, McTominay and others: football world reacts to Varane’s retirement | OneFootball

Players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen, paid tribute to Raphael Varane by responding to the Instagram post which announced his retirement from football on Wednesday morning.

A World Cup winner with France in 2018, the defender decided to hang up his boots only two months after joining Cesc Fabregas’ Como to “go out strong, not just holding on to the game,” as he posted on his social media channels.

From Cristiano Ronaldo to current Napoli midfielder McTominay, who both played with Varane at Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively, many players left comments on the former defender’s post to make their affection felt.

‘A legend of football’: Cristiano Ronaldo, McTominay and others react to Varane’s retirement

Having lifted the Champions League trophy alongside Raphael Varane as many as four times at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo saluted his former teammate with a heartfelt message: “A great career and a football legend! Congratulations on everything my brother, hope to see you soon”.

A similar concept was echoed by Napoli’s McTominay, who also played with Varane at Manchester United: “Legend Rapha 🙌🏼 good luck for the stage ❤️,” he wrote.

The list of players who reacted to Varane’s retirement also includes some current and past Serie A stars, such as Christian Eriksen, Alvaro Morata and Marcus Thuram, as well as more former teammates like Marcelo and Jadon Sancho.

“A pleasure to work with you brother, a great mentor, a friend and most of all a great human! Enjoy your new journey Rapha! ❤️,” Sancho wrote.

Marcelo also defined him a “legend”, while Manchester United’s Luke Shaw posted: “What a career you have had. It was a pleasure to play with you. Legend”.

Eriksen’s message wished Varane “all the best in the future”, similar to Alvaro Morata, who wrote: “Congratulations on your career and all the best for the future”.