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French World Cup winner Raphael Varane announced his retirement from football on Wednesday at the age of 31, adding that he will remain at Como as a non-player.

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United centre-back Varane joined the Italian club for this season but was then ruled out of the Serie A squad due to a knee injury in August.

“A new life begins off the pitch,” Varane said on social media.

“I will stay at Como. But without my boots and shin guards. I will tell you more about that soon.”

Varane came through the academy of French club Lens before moving to Madrid in 2011 at the age of 18.

In his first season in the Spanish capital, he won the first of his three La Liga titles.

In 2014, he secured the first of his four Champions League titles and three years later won the league and European championship double.

Varane joined United in 2021 and won the League Cup and FA Cup with the English club, but his time at Old Trafford was interrupted by injuries.

He left United at the end of last season to join Cesc Fabregas' newly promoted club Como, playing just one Coppa Italia game before suffering a knee injury.

“From Lens to Madrid to Manchester and to play for our national team,” said Varane.

“I defended every badge with everything I had and enjoyed every minute of the journey.”

Varane made his debut for France in 2013 and reached the pinnacle of his international career at the 2018 World Cup, where Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final.

He ended his career in France with 93 appearances, his last appearance coming in the 2022 World Cup final, which he lost on penalties to Argentina.

“I have won more than I ever dreamed of,” said Varane.

“But beyond the awards and trophies, I am proud that no matter what, I have remained true to my principles of honesty and tried to leave each place better than I found it.”

Several former teammates paid tribute to Varane, including United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

“It was a pleasure for all of us,” Fernandes said on Instagram.

After retiring from the national team at just 29 years old, Varane pointed to the extreme physical and mental pressure that top players are exposed to.

He also raised concerns about the impact of concussions on players' later lives.