Raphael Varane believes the young stars of today will have shorter careers due to the extensive, modern-day football schedules.
Varane opened up about the landscape of modern football, having announced his international retirement last month.
It came as a surprise considering he's only 29, but the serial winner revealed he called time on his career with France because of the physical and mental wear and tear.
And with the prospect of the Champions League and the World Cup being expanded, the Manchester United star reckons it will have an impact on players and claims it'll shorten careers.
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On the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina, he said: "We often use the expression 'give everything' in the locker room, and this was literally the case.
"A lot of players said to me 'Oh how lucky you are to have a break during the season'.
"It’s timely because it is a dreadful season physically and mentally. We haven’t stopped playing since early July and we’re really on the edge. This break does a lot of good and will allow me to regenerate a little."
With more and more games on deck, Varane sees this as a negative on young players.
"I'm afraid that we will witness much shorter careers and that French players will have to give up the France team very early because, physically or mentally, what we are asking for today is simply over the limit," he added.
The 29-year-old continued: "Believe me, all the international players who feature in European competitions and never stop playing go through periods of poor form that last several months, or they get injured.
"The youths who start in the France team, those who have played in the World Cup, will have to make a lot of sacrifices if they want to stay on top for ten years. And if it’s harder than what I’ve experienced."
Do you agree with Varane? Let us know.
Topics: Raphael Varane, Football
Nasir Jabbar