Raphael Varane
Here’s a detailed profile of Raphaël Varane (born April 25, 1993), the celebrated French footballer.
Raphaël Varane – Life, Career & Legacy
Introduction
Raphaël Xavier Varane is a French professional footballer (now retired) who served as a center-back.
In September 2024, Varane announced his retirement from professional play at age 31, following a serious knee injury while playing for Como in Serie A.
Early Life & Background
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Birth & Heritage: Varane was born in Lille, France, on 25 April 1993.
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His father, Gaston Varane, is of Martiniquais origin, and his mother, Annie, is from the Nord region of France.
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He began playing youth football at local club Hellemmes before joining RC Lens’ youth setup in 2002.
Club Career
Lens (2010–2011)
Varane broke into the first team at Lens in the 2010–11 season, making his professional debut at age 17.
Real Madrid (2011–2021)
In 2011, Varane transferred to Real Madrid, reportedly with encouragement from Zinedine Zidane. Over a decade at Madrid, he achieved tremendous success:
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Trophies: 3 La Liga titles, 4 UEFA Champions League wins, Copa del Rey, Club World Cups, and more.
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He was often paired with experienced center-backs (e.g. Sergio Ramos), combining youth with composure in high-pressure matches.
Manchester United (2021–2024)
In August 2021, Varane moved to Manchester United in the English Premier League.
While at United, he added further silverware to his career, including the EFL Cup / League Cup and FA Cup.
However, injuries increasingly limited his availability.
Como & Retirement
In 2024, he signed with Como in Italy’s Serie A.
Soon after, he was removed from Como’s squad list, and on September 25, 2024, he formally announced his retirement from playing professional football.
Varane also hinted at staying with Como in a non-playing role, perhaps contributing off the pitch.
International Career
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Varane made his senior debut for France in March 2013.
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He represented France in multiple major tournaments:
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2014 FIFA World Cup
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2018 FIFA World Cup, where France won the title and Varane played every minute of the tournament.
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UEFA Euro 2020, UEFA Nations League (France won in 2021)
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2022 FIFA World Cup, where France finished as runners-up.
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He earned 93 caps and scored 5 goals for France.
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Varane announced his retirement from international football in 2023.
Personality, Style & Strengths
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Calmness under pressure: Varane was often praised for his composure, reading of the game, and ability to stay calm in high-stakes matches.
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Team mentality: He often emphasized that football is a collective sport, not about individual glory.
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Humility & improvement: Quotes of his express a mindset of constant learning, humility, and wanting to improve.
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Leadership: In various clubs and in France, he assumed leadership roles, guiding younger defenders and providing experience in major tournaments.
In later interviews, he has also expressed concerns about the impact of concussions and head injuries on players’ long-term health, suggesting he regrets how those may have influenced some performances.
Notable Quotes by Raphaël Varane
Here are several quotes attributed to Varane that reflect his mindset:
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“Our objective is to win – always to win.”
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“We do a team sport. Individually, you're worthless!”
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“You have to be humble and learn from the players around you.”
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“It takes a great strength of character to arrive at Real at eighteen years and make a journey like I have so far.”
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“I try to transmit calmness and motivation to my team-mates.”
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“Being a defender of Real Madrid means being able to make very few mistakes.”
Lessons & Legacy
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Youth + maturity: Varane’s ascent from Lens youth to Real Madrid and the French national team is a testament to combining talent with discipline.
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Team over ego: His emphasis on collective success over individual accolade is a strong model in team sports.
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Composure as a virtue: In defense (and beyond), maintaining calm under pressure can be just as important as physical skill.
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Awareness of health: His concerns about head injuries may influence future generations to take injury prevention more seriously.
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Graceful exit: Retiring while acknowledging limits shows integrity, and his intention to stay involved off-pitch demonstrates ongoing commitment to his sport.