A biography for Raphael Varanehasn’t been written yet.
“I try to transmit calmness and motivation to my team-mates.”
“When you don't believe in me, I don't say anything but it titillates me.”
“Basically, I played football to share with others, to excel together, to achieve a goal. After, we all have our ego, our pride and our personality. But all alone, in football, it does not work.”
“Every season is a challenge and now I am a more complete player. I have learned at the highest level.”
“It would be against my nature if I shouted or banged the walls.”
“I am not one to discuss my future publicly.”
“Kylian keeps learning and going forward, which he does very quickly. It's good that he is ambitious. He is self-confident, it's good. He always wants more.”
“I have known Eliaquim Mangala for quite some time and we understand each other well.”
“Interest from Bayern or Man Utd? It is greatly flattering to hear those names, and I even ask myself if that is really about me.”
“You have to be humble and learn from the players around you.”
“I've been playing more regularly in 2015 because of injuries but also because of technical decisions.”
“I watch a lot of players in my position, but if I had to name a role model, I'd say Lillian Thuram because of the way he carried himself on the pitch and everything he did in his career.”
“Zidane's success comes from transmitting calm and never changing that no matter what is happening. That serenity and tranquility conveys confidence and security. He talks little but when he does, it matters.”
“I'm proud to represent my country.”
“In my position you talk about a mature player being around 28 and it is normal that you improve.”
“I want to continue to be a first-team regular here at Madrid. That is my long-term goal.”
“I remember that in 2017, when we won everything, we started the pre-season badly, with defeats.”
“Zidane has tried to get me to improve. Anticipating, reading the play, putting myself in the defensive balance, I know how to do all this. So he expects the same finesse in an attacking sense.”
“All the teams that win a big trophy, it is thanks to the collective, when each one takes pleasure to share with the others. This is how it works.”
“In every training session, I learn.”