Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reacts as former Man United star Raphael Varane announces his retirement

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is among the star names sending messages to Raphael Varane after his retirement.

Van Dijk clearly has a lot of respect for his fellow centre-back, who only just left Man United in the summer after making 95 appearances.

Varane made the move to newly-promoted Italian club Como shortly after his Old Trafford exit, but he has now called time on his glittering career after just one appearance, where he suffered a knee injury.

The Frenchman will stay with the Italian club, but not in a playing capacity, with former Premier League star Cesc Fabregas currently in the Como dugout.

Liverpool star Van Dijk enjoyed plenty of exciting battles with Varane, who hangs up his boots after particularly shining for Real Madrid and the French national team.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to Raphael Varane’s retirement

Varane, who also played in his home country for Lens, shared a lengthy message on his Instagram to confirm the decision, beginning with the words: “They say all good things must come to an end.”

READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk from his tattoo to net worth

Van Dijk then commented with the clapping hands emoji, with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba among the other high-profile names sending messages to Varane.

Real Madrid and France legend Raphael Varane retires after glittering career

Varane will undoubtedly go down as one of the best defenders in history, having won countless honours for club and country.

The centre-back made over 350 appearances at the back for Real Madrid, helping the Spanish giants win La Liga and Champions League multiple times.

Varane also helped the French national team lift the 2018 World Cup trophy, with the defender hanging up his boots after 93 France appearances.

It remains to be seen what the future holds at Como for the 31-year-old, who had been struggling with injuries in recent times.

Fabregas will, however, be very grateful to have such experience at the club, who clinched their first Serie A win in over 21 years with a 3-2 victory over Atalanta on Tuesday.