varane_raphael
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Raphael Varane - Manchester United defender - Player profile & stats |
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| Name: Raphael Xavier Varane |
Nationality: France |
| Position: defender |
Signing Information: Transferred from: Real Madrid, 14/08/2021, 34m plus 8m add ons |
| Birthdate: 25-04-1993 |
Years at Club: 2021-2024 |
| Age: (31) |
Debut: 29/08/2021 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 (Premiership) |
| Birthplace: Lille, France |
Previous clubs: Lens, Real Madrid |
| Height: 6' 3" (1.91m) |
Farewell to Manchester United: Transferred to Como, 28/07/2024, £free |
| Weight: 12st 11lbs (81kg) |
Passed Away: |
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Raphaël Xavier Varane was born on April 25, 1993, in Lille, France. Raised in Hellemmes, a suburb of Lille, he grew up in a close-knit family of Martinican descent. Varane’s father, Gaston, and mother, Annie, instilled discipline and humility in him from an early age. His passion for football was evident as he joined the local club AS Hellemmes at the age of seven. In 2002, Varane was scouted by RC Lens, a renowned French club with a history of nurturing young talent. His composure, intelligence, and maturity as a central defender saw him rise rapidly through the youth ranks. He made his professional debut for Lens at just 17 years old during the 2010–11 Ligue 1 season, immediately catching the eye of top European clubs.
In the summer of 2011, Real Madrid secured Varane’s signature for a reported fee of €10 million. At just 18 years old, he became one of the youngest players to join the Spanish giants. Zinedine Zidane, then serving as an advisor to Real Madrid, was instrumental in bringing Varane to the club. Varane's first season at Madrid (2011–12) was one of adaptation, but by the 2012–13 season, he had established himself as a key player. Memorable performances, such as his dominant display against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, highlighted his talent and poise under pressure. Over the next decade, Varane became synonymous with success at Real Madrid, forming a legendary defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos. His exceptional reading of the game, pace, aerial prowess, and ability to perform in high-stakes matches made him one of the best defenders in the world.
Varane's Real Madrid honors include:
4 UEFA Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
3 La Liga titles (2012, 2017, 2020)
4 FIFA Club World Cups (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
3 UEFA Super Cups (2014, 2016, 2017)
1 Copa del Rey (2014)
Move to Manchester United
In August 2021, Varane transferred to Manchester United for a fee of approximately £41 million, signing a four-year contract. His arrival was seen as a major statement of intent by the club, pairing him with Harry Maguire to reinforce United’s defence. Varane made his Premier League debut on August 29, 2021, in a 1–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite injuries disrupting parts of his first season, Varane brought much-needed composure and experience to United’s backline. He became a pivotal figure under managers such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and later Erik ten Hag. During his time at United, Varane has continued to demonstrate his leadership and defensive acumen, forming strong partnerships with teammates like Lisandro Martínez and contributing to the team's domestic and European campaigns.
International Career
Varane debuted for the France national team on March 22, 2013, in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia. He quickly became a cornerstone of France’s defence, earning praise for his calm demeanour and tactical awareness. He played a key role in France’s triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, starting every match and showcasing his leadership throughout the tournament. France's defence, anchored by Varane, was instrumental in their success, and he became only the fourth player in history to win the Champions League and World Cup in the same year. Varane also featured in the UEFA Euro 2016, where France finished as runners-up, and in subsequent editions of the Euros and World Cups. As of 2023, Varane has over 90 international caps, serving as a vice-captain and a leader both on and off the pitch.
Varane is regarded as one of the most complete defenders of his generation. His pace, aerial dominance, positional awareness, and ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations make him a model centre-back. A natural leader, he is known for his humility and professionalism both on and off the field. |
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| League |
League Cup |
FA Cup |
Charity Shield |
European Cup |
Europa League |
Super Cup |
Cup Winners Cup |
Inter-Continental Cup |
World Clubs Cup |
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| No |
Season |
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Season
Goals |
Season
Apps |
| 1 |
2021-2022 |
1 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
29 |
| 2 |
2022-2023 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
| 3 |
2023-2024 |
1 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
32 |
| TOTALS |
2 |
68 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
95 |
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