Manchester United star Raphael Varane has warned that more players will retire early from international football just as he did.
The French World Cup winner hung up his boots on the international stage at the age of 29 after the FIFA World Cup final loss to Argentina.
Varane's decision to retire was met with some criticism in France given his age, but the Red Devils defender insists things will get worse for footballers with the amount of games being played.
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"The calendar is already more than full, the players are overworked and it will get even worse," Varane told the French GQ.
"I'm afraid that we will witness much shorter careers and that players will have to give up the France team very early because, physically or mentally, what we are asking for today is simply beyond limits.
"The fact that I announced the end of my international career and not having hidden the reasons, that resonated with many players.
"Believe me, all the international players who play in Europe and never stop go through periods of poor form lasting several months, or they get injured.
"The young players who start in the France team there, those who have played in the World Cup, are going to have to make a lot of sacrifices if they want to stay on top for ten years. And it might be harder than what I've experienced."
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