Raphael Varane is a former World Cup winner with France and in a 10-year spell with Real Madrid, he won 18 major honours.

Varane started his career with Lens, but was quickly snapped up by Real Madrid in 2011, where he remained for a medal-laden decade.

He won three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, four Club World Cups and most importantly four Champions Leagues.

Varane moved to Manchester United in July 2021, but despite winning the EFL Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in 2024, he struggled with injuries and decided to leave the club at the end of his contract in summer 2024.

In July 2024, Varane joined Serie A newcomers Como 1907 on a two-year deal, but was forced to retire from football after picking up a knee injury at the start of the season.

On the interantional stage, Varane made his debut for France in 2013 and went on to make 93 appearances and score five goals.

During that time he was part of the France squads that won the World Cup in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022, and also won the Nations League in 2021.

 

Varane's early career

Varane's path to World Cup glory began at just nine years old when he signed with RC Lens. He spent two years training at the Centre de Preformation de Football during the week and playing with Lens on the weekends.

As a 17-year-old, Varane was a member of the club's under-19 team and ahead of the 2010/11 season, he signed his first professional contract with the side. In late October 2010, he was called up to the senior team and surprisingly made his first appearance in a 2-0 win against Montpellier on November 6. It was only Lens' third clean sheet of the season.

 

Time at Real Madrid

In June 2011, at the age of 19, Varane completed a move to La Liga club Real Madrid. He signed a six-year contract and was assigned the No. 19 shirt.

He made his competitive debut for the side on September 21, 2011, helping Real Madrid keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Racing de Santander. Just three days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 6-2 win against Rayo Vallecano. The goal made Varane the youngest foreign player to score a goal in a competitive fixture for Real Madrid. He was 18 years and 152 days old.

Before the 2012/13 campaign, Varane was handed the No. 2 shirt. He made his El Clasico debut the following January, scoring to become the second-youngest foreign player to score for Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Varane was instrumental in helping his side become the champions of Europe. He played all 120 minutes of Real Madrid's 4-1 win over inter-city rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final. His performances for Los Blancos saw him earn his second six-year contract with the club, which would tie him to the Spanish capital until 2020.

Over the next few seasons, Real Madrid dominated both La Liga and the Champions League. Varane and Madrid won three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018, as well as winning La Liga in the 2016/17 season. In 2017 and at the age of 24, Varane won his third Champions League, making him the youngest defender ever to have won the trophy three times, edging out Paolo Maldini.

Following on from this success, in September 2017, Varane's contract was extended until 2022.

Varane was included in the 30-man shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d'Or, finishing seventh. He also came ninth in the Best FIFA Men's Player award as well as being elected as the starting centre-back for both the 2018 FIFPro Men's World 11 and the UEFA Team of the Year.

In 2018, Real Madrid became the most successful side in the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Al-Ain to win their fourth title in five years. This also saw them overtake bitter rivals Barcelona. In the 2019/20 season, Varane helped Real Madrid win another La Liga title.

In July 2021, it was announced that Varane would be leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United in a £41million deal. The transfer was completed on August 14.

During his time with Real Madrid, Varane won 18 honours including three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, four UEFA Champions Leagues and four FIFA Club World Cup crowns and played more than 300 games.

 

Move to Manchester United

Varane was handed the No. 19 shirt for Manchester United in his debut season, as Phil Jones did not want to relinquish No. 4. He was unveiled to the Old Trafford faithful before their season opener against Leeds United.

He was part of the team that won the 2023 EFL Cup, but was unable to help lead Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League.

Injuries restricted Varane to 93 appearances in his three seasons at United, and the defender decided to leave the club on the expiry of his contract in the summer of 2024.

“To you guys, supporters of Manchester United, it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wear that shirt,” the former France international said on social media.

“The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player was insane, the atmosphere was amazing.

“I fell in love with the club, with the fans. You have to play for Man United to understand what that represents.

“For my kids, it’s home here. It’s going to be a special place for me, for life.

“When the fans to go Wembley, it’s something they will remember for life. To share that moment with them was absolutely amazing.

“Despite the fact we had a difficult season, I’m very positive for the future. The new owners are coming with a clear plan and a great strategy.

“I’ll see you at Old Trafford to say goodbye for the last game at home this season and it’s going to be very emotional day for me, for sure.”

 

New adventure and retirement in Italy

On July 28, 2024, Varane joined Serie A newcomers Como 1907 on a two-year deal.

Varane joined forces with former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who was appointed head coach in the wake of promotion.

However, he was forced to retire from playing after sustaining a knee injury on his debut during a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria.

In an Instagram post he said: “And so, a new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como. Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.

“For now, to the supporters of every club I played for, to my teammates, coaches and staff… from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this journey more special than my wildest dreams could ever foresee.”

 

Playing for the French national team

Varane was first called up to the French national team in August 2012 but didn't make his first start until March 2013 in a 3-1 victory over Georgia.

He was included in the France side for the 2014 World Cup, which marked his first appearance at a major international tournament. France crashed out at the quarter-final stage but he was named on the three-man shortlist for the tournament's Best Young Player award.

On October 14, 2014, Varane became the youngest player to captain France as he took the armband at half-time from Blaise Matuidi in a 3-0 win over Armenia. Varane marked his first start as captain of Les Bleus with his first international goal in a 1-0 win over Sweden on November 18.

Varane was named to the French 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup. He started all seven games and played every minute of the tournament as France went onto win their second World Cup. In doing so, he became only the fourth player to become a World Cup and Champions League winner in the same year.

Varane was included in France's Euro 2020 squad. He helped his side keep a clean sheet in their opening group game against Germany and also featured in the 1-1 draw against Hungary and the 2-2 draw against Portugal. He then went on to play in the 3-3 draw against Switzerland which saw France eliminated from the competition on penalties.

He was also selected in the 2022 World Cup squad and played in the final, which France eventually lost 4-2 on penalties to Argentina.

With 93 appearances and 5 goals, Varane retired from international football in February 2023 at the age of just 29.

 

Raphael Varane's personal life

Varane is married to his long-time partner Camille Tytgat and together they have two children, a son named Ruben and a daughter called Anais.

His sister, Annabelle Varane, competed in Miss France 2019.

Raphael Varane's net worth

Varane has a net worth of £65.7million, the majority of which he earned during his decade-long spell with Real Madrid.