Real Madrid bid an emotional goodbye to his Real Madrid teammates on Friday ahead of his imminent transfer to Manchester United.
As reported by the Evening Standard, Real Madrid superstar Raphael Varane gave an emotionally charged speech at the club’s training ground on Friday as he gears up to complete a transfer to Manchester United.
The 28-year-old has spent the last ten years of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu, establishing himself as one of the most successful defenders in the modern game. Varane has won numerous titles and trophies with the Spanish capital outfit, having been a mainstay at the back for a majority of those triumphs.
However, having entered the final year of his contract with the club, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner felt it was time for a new challenge in his career, due to which he refused to sign an extension. And Manchester United, who are long-term admirers of Varane, swooped in swiftly to secure an agreement with Real Madrid over a transfer.
A move is imminent, subject to medical, with personal terms already said to be tied up. And, ahead of his big move to England, Varane arrived at Madrid’s training base on Friday, where he bid goodbyes to all his teammates and gave a touching speech.
? Au revoir, @raphaelvarane. pic.twitter.com/pvYNQta7AG
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) July 30, 2021
“The last 10 years have been amazing, not only on an emotional level, a human level, but as a professional too. I want to leave you all with the feeling that I’m leaving having given everything, and of having experienced unique moments. I’m very emotional right now. I wish you all the best, a good season and I’ll see you soon. I love you,” he told his teammates and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who was also present.
This came after he had shared a similar tribute earlier on Friday on his social media account. In the post, Varane had written (h/t Metro): “After 10 amazing and wonderful years at Real Madrid, a club I will always carry in my heart, the day has come to say goodbye. I would like to thank all the coaches and all the people who work or have worked at the club for everything they have done for me.
“I had the honour of sharing the locker room with the best players in the world. Countless victories I’ll never forget, especially La Decima. I realise it’s been a great privilege to have been able to live those special moments. It’s been an amazing journey in every way. I leave with the feeling of giving it all and I won’t change a single thing in this story of ours,” he wrote.