The ESPN FC crew discuss Raphael Varane’s decision to retire from international play before ranking France’s top 5 center backs of all time.

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27 Comments

  1. Varane forced that final, he looked drained from the start, and he still played extra time,
    Will always remember the moment he fell, its like the body had reached its limits, yet he still wanted to play to the last moment

  2. This for me is a crazy take from someone who watches football for a living. Desailly was far better Varane in most aspects of the game.

    Also throw Thuram into the mix who was awesome playing centre back which was not his primary position.

    Jules' take for me is baffling.

  3. The top two spots are already taken & sealed by the 98 heroes Marcel Desailly & Lilian Thuram with the latter takes the top spot as he was off the scale at Serie A for a full decade at it’s absolute peak from 1996-06 with Parma/Juventus as a CB that is btw not to mention Lilian filled the gap at RB too even though not his position yet memorable semifinal with brace to take France to first ever final. No outfield player played more for France than Thuram with 142 appearances FACT

  4. Lol, best of all time lol. I am better than Varane and I'm not even a pro (although I could be, i just CHOOSE not to be because I don't want the fame)

  5. Much credit to the guy, gave his body for the French national team, even with his injury proneness. absolute legend who’s won everything for club and country (excepts euros). French legend and one of the best center backs of his generation. Wish he could’ve gone to euro 24 but it’s all good. hope focusing on club means he’s healthy for longer periods. excellent player, leader, and role model. France has like 5 or 6 great up and coming cbs so it’s all good tbh. Enjoy int. Retirement legend!!!!

  6. Hi Julien, with all due respect, I am sorry but I cannot understand in any way how Varane could be labelled the France all-time center back? Are you out of your mind? He is so no reliable enough, making too often mistakes (one cost France qualification for the 2014 semi-finals) and he cannot compare to legend centers as Laurent Blanc and Marcel Desailly and maybe others but not Varane!

  7. Recency bias is a problem not only in football fans but also among football experts, seriously Varane, is the best French defender of all time above Dessailly.
    Zidane is labelled as goat, Ramos is labelled as best defender of all time, this needs to stop.

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