# Raphaël Varane
**Raphaël Varane** (born 1993 in Lille, France) is a retired French footballer who played as a center-back, winning the 2018 World Cup with France and four Champions League titles in ten seasons at Real Madrid.[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) • [2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) He retired in September 2024 at the age of 31 after a career at Lens, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and [Como 1907](https://www.edgepedia.org/como-1907).[3](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/09/25/varane-se-retira-del-futbol-a-sus-31-anos-no-me-arrepiento-no-cambiaria-nada-cadena-ser/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993, Lille (France); 191 cm, right-footed[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) • [2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) |
| Clubs | AS Hellemmes (2000-02), RC Lens (2002-11), Real Madrid (2011-21), Manchester United (2021-24), Como 1907 (Aug-Sep 2024)[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) |
| Real Madrid record | 360 official appearances, 17 goals, 18 titles in 10 seasons[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) |
| France record | 93 caps, 5 goals (2013-2022); debut 22 March 2013 against Georgia[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) |
| Major honors | World Cup 2018, UEFA Nations League 2021, 4 Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), 3 LaLiga titles, FA Cup 2024[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) |
| Individual | Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur; FIFA/FIFPro World XI 2018[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) • [1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) |
| Retirement | 25 September 2024, aged 31, after a serious knee injury[3](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/09/25/varane-se-retira-del-futbol-a-sus-31-anos-no-me-arrepiento-no-cambiaria-nada-cadena-ser/) |
## Early career and move to Real Madrid
Varane was formed at Racing Club de Lens, which he joined at nine years old and left in 2011; he has described leaving his family at 13 as one of the sacrifices of his development.[4](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2023/02/02/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-renonce-a-son-tour-a-l-equipe-de-france_6160275_3242.html) • [5](https://as.com/futbol/primera/varane-la-lesion-cambio-mi-forma-de-entrenar-de-correr-de-cuidarme-f202511-n/) [Zinedine Zidane](https://www.edgepedia.org/zinedine-zidane), then working as an adviser at Real Madrid, had identified him at Lens and sponsored the signing.[6](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15115/12372235) Real Madrid paid Lens about 10 million euros for the 18-year-old in the summer of 2011.[7](https://as.com/futbol/primera/los-peligros-de-irse-del-madrid-n-2/)
He was unveiled on 27 June 2011 and made his official debut on 21 September of that year against Racing Santander.[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) A knee injury in 2013, early in his Madrid career, changed how he trained and managed his body for the rest of his career, according to his own account.[5](https://as.com/futbol/primera/varane-la-lesion-cambio-mi-forma-de-entrenar-de-correr-de-cuidarme-f202511-n/)
## Ten seasons at Real Madrid
Varane spent ten seasons at the club, from 2011 to 2021, playing 360 official matches and scoring 17 goals.[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) He was a key player in the era between 2014 and 2018 in which Real Madrid won four European Cups, three of them consecutively.[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) His 18 titles at the club comprised 4 Champions Leagues, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 LaLiga titles, 1 [Copa del Rey](https://www.edgepedia.org/copa-del-rey), and 3 Spanish Super Cups.[1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane)
Tactically he played as a right-sided center-back, often in a partnership with the more aggressive [Sergio Ramos](https://www.edgepedia.org/sergio-ramos), covering wide areas when Madrid's full-backs advanced under Zinedine Zidane.[8](https://statsbomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SB_Mark-Carter-paper.pdf) • [9](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/raphael-varane-real-madrid-manchester-united/) • [10](https://thefootballfaithful.com/player-analysis-what-raphael-varane-would-bring-to-manchester-united/) In 2021 he left for Manchester United, with AS reporting the fee at 40 million euros ([El País](https://www.edgepedia.org/el-pais) reported 50 million euros for a player with one year left on his contract).[7](https://as.com/futbol/primera/los-peligros-de-irse-del-madrid-n-2/) • [11](https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2024-09-25/raphael-varane-anuncia-su-retirada-me-mantengo-en-el-mas-alto-nivel-quiero-irme-fuerte-no-solo-aferrarme-al-juego.html)
## France international
Varane made his France debut on 22 March 2013 in a 3-1 win over Georgia and earned 93 caps with 5 goals between 2013 and 2022, starting 90 of his matches.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) • [12](https://www.lequipe.fr/fiche/raphael-varane/215142) On 18 November 2014, wearing the captain's armband against Sweden at 21 and a half, he became the youngest captain in the modern history of the French national team (the youngest since Étienne Jourde in 1910) and scored the only goal of the match.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html)
He played in four major international tournaments: the 2014 World Cup (quarter-finalist), Euro 2020 (round of 16), and the World Cups of 2018, which France won, and 2022, in which France reached the final.[13](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/La-carriere-en-bleu-de-raphael-varane-en-chiffres/1378435) In 2018 he played every minute of the tournament, scored the opening goal in the quarter-final win over Uruguay, and was named in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI.[14](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/raphael-varane-profile-the-story-so-far-after-man-utd-transfer) • [1](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane) He also won the [UEFA Nations League](https://www.edgepedia.org/uefa-nations-league) with France in 2021.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) His last cap was the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina in Lusail on 18 December 2022, a 3-3 draw decided on penalties.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) In February 2023 he announced he was stepping away from the national team.[4](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2023/02/02/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-renonce-a-son-tour-a-l-equipe-de-france_6160275_3242.html)
## Manchester United and Como
Varane joined Manchester United in August 2021 and spent three seasons there, wearing the number 19 shirt.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) • [14](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/raphael-varane-profile-the-story-so-far-after-man-utd-transfer) The spell was marked by injuries to the back, hamstrings, groin, and ankle, though he won the English League Cup in 2023 and the [FA Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fa-cup) in 2024.[15](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/09/25/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-prend-sa-retraite-a-31-ans-use-par-les-blessures_6332950_3242.html) • [2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html)
He moved to Como 1907 in August 2024, but his only official appearance for the Italian club lasted about 20 minutes in an Italian Cup match against [Sampdoria](https://www.edgepedia.org/sampdoria) on 11 August.[2](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html) • [16](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/misterio-varane-n/) On 25 September 2024 he announced his retirement at 31, citing a serious knee injury; he said he had spent more than 800 days sidelined through injuries in his career and wanted to leave the game strong rather than cling to it.[3](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/09/25/varane-se-retira-del-futbol-a-sus-31-anos-no-me-arrepiento-no-cambiaria-nada-cadena-ser/) • [11](https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2024-09-25/raphael-varane-anuncia-su-retirada-me-mantengo-en-el-mas-alto-nivel-quiero-irme-fuerte-no-solo-aferrarme-al-juego.html) He chose to remain at Como to begin a life outside playing, and now sits on the club's board.[15](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/09/25/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-prend-sa-retraite-a-31-ans-use-par-les-blessures_6332950_3242.html) • [17](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/como-make-incredible-champions-league-gesture-on-eve-of-competition-debut)
## Life after retirement
Varane is involved in Génération 2018, an endowment fund created by France's 23 world champions, which made mental health its focus for 2025 through the television documentary *Têtes Plongeantes* ("Diving Heads"), in which he and other members of the 2018 squad discuss mental health struggles, and through support for the Mentalo project, a scientific study on young people's well-being.[18](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2025/12/02/raphael-varane-showing-vulnerability-does-not-mean-you-re-weak_6748050_9.html) He also runs Association Stages Varane, which supports young athletes through education and development.[19](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raphael-varane_as-i-wrap-up-my-first-season-since-retiring-activity-7335938459641032705-67bj) In 2025 he received the AS del Deporte award from the Spanish newspaper AS.[5](https://as.com/futbol/primera/varane-la-lesion-cambio-mi-forma-de-entrenar-de-correr-de-cuidarme-f202511-n/)
## References
1. [Raphaël Varane - History and honours, Real Madrid C.F. official website](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/raphael-varane)
2. [Raphaël VARANE, Fédération Française de Football](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html)
3. [Varane se retira del fútbol a sus 31 años, Cadena SER](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2024/09/25/varane-se-retira-del-futbol-a-sus-31-anos-no-me-arrepiento-no-cambiaria-nada-cadena-ser/)
4. [Raphaël Varane, champion du monde 2018, renonce à son tour à l'équipe de France, Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2023/02/02/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-renonce-a-son-tour-a-l-equipe-de-france_6160275_3242.html)
5. [Varane: "La lesión cambió mi forma de entrenar...", AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/varane-la-lesion-cambio-mi-forma-de-entrenar-de-correr-de-cuidarme-f202511-n/)
6. [How Raphael Varane learned the art of defending at Real Madrid, Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15115/12372235)
7. [Los peligros de irse del Madrid, AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/los-peligros-de-irse-del-madrid-n-2/)
8. [Footedness: How important is it? StatsBomb](https://statsbomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SB_Mark-Carter-paper.pdf)
9. [Raphaël Varane: Premier League Player Watch, Coaches' Voice](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/raphael-varane-real-madrid-manchester-united/)
10. [Player Analysis: What qualities would Raphael Varane bring to Man United's defence? The Football Faithful](https://thefootballfaithful.com/player-analysis-what-raphael-varane-would-bring-to-manchester-united/)
11. [Raphael Varane anuncia su retirada, El País](https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2024-09-25/raphael-varane-anuncia-su-retirada-me-mantengo-en-el-mas-alto-nivel-quiero-irme-fuerte-no-solo-aferrarme-al-juego.html)
12. [Raphaël Varane - joueur de football, L'Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/fiche/raphael-varane/215142)
13. [La carrière en bleu de Raphaël Varane en chiffres, L'Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/La-carriere-en-bleu-de-raphael-varane-en-chiffres/1378435)
14. [Raphael Varane: The story so far, Manchester United](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/raphael-varane-profile-the-story-so-far-after-man-utd-transfer)
15. [Raphaël Varane, champion du monde 2018, prend sa retraite à 31 ans, Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/sport/article/2024/09/25/raphael-varane-champion-du-monde-2018-prend-sa-retraite-a-31-ans-use-par-les-blessures_6332950_3242.html)
16. [Misterio Varane, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/misterio-varane-n/)
17. [Como make incredible Champions League gesture, FourFourTwo](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/como-make-incredible-champions-league-gesture-on-eve-of-competition-debut)
18. [Raphaël Varane: 'Showing vulnerability does not mean you're weak', Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2025/12/02/raphael-varane-showing-vulnerability-does-not-mean-you-re-weak_6748050_9.html)
19. [Raphaël Varane LinkedIn post on post-retirement work](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/raphael-varane_as-i-wrap-up-my-first-season-since-retiring-activity-7335938459641032705-67bj)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of continental Europe › French footballers born before 1995 › Surnames Le to Z*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license