Emotional Man Utd star Raphael Varane breaks down in tears after being forced off injured and fearing World Cup is over
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DEVESTATED Raphael Varane limped off the Stamford Bridge pitch in tears with his World Cup dream potentially in tatters.
The Manchester United centre-back tried to intercept Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the Chelsea man sprinted down the left wing.
But as the French ace stuck out his leg to make the tackle, his knee jarred into the turf and reportedly damaged his hamstring.
Varane then face-planted as he collapsed in clear agony during the 1-1 draw in West London.
And the former Real Madrid man was visibly distraught as he was treated by United medics - knowing the injury could rule him out of the World Cup.
Varane played a key role in Russia four years ago as France went all the way to lift the trophy, beating Croatia in the final.
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He played every minute of the seven matches - captaining the side for the 0-0 draw against Denmark.
And he scored a crucial goal, just his third for his country, for the winner against Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
But the way he reacted after getting back to his feet suggested the damage could be bad.
Varane buried his head in his shirt as team-mates consoled him.
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He appeared to reject the offer of a stretcher as he let his emotions out.
Manager Erik ten Hag - who has also been without Harry Maguire due to injury - had a brief word with the gutted defender as he trudged off.
But no words could surely have helped before he headed straight down the tunnel.
France begin their World Cup defence in Qatar against Australia a month today before facing Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
Asked about his star defender's injury, Ten Hag said: "I think he's calmed down.
"He has to wait to see what it [injury] is.
"He can't tell, the medical staff can't tell, we have to wait for the assessments and that takes time, minimum 24 hours."
Jorginho thought he had won the game for Chelsea with his 87th-minute penalty but Casemiro's header in the fourth minute of injury time just crossed the line to rescue a point.
