Former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says he is living “another life” at Como after becoming a board member of the club upon his retirement during the ongoing season, Afrsoport reports.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner joined the newly-promoted Serie A side as a free agent last summer after his contract expired.
He however picked up a knee injury after just 23 minutes into his Como debut in a Coppa Italia first round clash against Sampdoria. He ultimately decided to hang his boot at the age of 31 after battling with injuries for much of his career, and Como offered him a role that focuses on youth development, education and product innovation.
“Como is a special project,” Varane told The Athletic in an interview.
“It’s a different vision. It’s about ambition but also about values. It’s also a very special setting, a place where I can make a contribution and help develop the club.
“It’s just different; it’s not better or worse, it’s another life.”
He added: “I like to build projects that have a vision, a strategy to build innovative things.
“It’s this innovative side that I like. We want to create something where they [young people] can really understand how to progress and give them a unique experience that will leave a mark on them as players, but also as people.
“Passing on certain values that will serve them well whatever happens.”
Como are currently 13th in the Serie A standings, five points clear of the relegation zone. They will face current leaders Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday afternoon.
