Raphaël Varane

Varane was born in the city of Lille in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. He is of Martiniquais heritage through his father, Gaston, who is originally from Le Morne-Rouge, while his mother, Annie, was raised in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux.{{cite web |url=http://www.antilles-foot.com/2011/01/29/raphael-varane-volontaire-et-determine/ |publisher=Antilles-foot |title=Raphael Varane: Volontaire et déterminé. |language=fr |date=29 January 2011 |access-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110912131656/http://www.antilles-foot.com/2011/01/29/raphael-varane-volontaire-et-determine/ |archive-date=12 September 2011}} Varane began his football career in the Arrondissement of Lille playing for local club Hellemmes at the age of seven.{{cite web |url=http://www.nordeclair.fr/Locales/Lille/2010/05/03/l-ash-en-tournoi-international.shtml |publisher=Nord Eclair |title=L'ASH en tournoi international |language=fr |date=3 May 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727113247/http://www.nordeclair.fr/Locales/Lille/2010/05/03/l-ash-en-tournoi-international.shtml |url-status=dead}} After spending two years at the club, in July 2002, he joined professional club Lens, despite some interest from Derby du Nord rivals and hometown club Lille.{{cite web |url=http://www.lensois.com/article-1910-varane-j-ai-grandi-au-rc-lens-.html |publisher=Lensois |title=Varane: "J'ai grandi au RC Lens" |language=fr |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819091137/http://www.lensois.com/article-1910-varane-j-ai-grandi-au-rc-lens-.html |archive-date=19 August 2010}} Similar to the development of the club's previous prized assets such as Gaël Kakuta and Timothée Kolodziejczak, Varane spent time at the Centre de Préformation de Football in nearby Liévin, a training centre exclusively for players brought up in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. He spent two years at the centre training there during the weekdays and playing with Lens on the weekends.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

After returning full-time to Lens, Varane quickly ascended up the club's youth ranks. In the 2008–09 season, alongside teammates Thorgan Hazard and Geoffrey Kondogbia, he played on the club's under-16 team that won the Championnat National des 16 ans. In the following season, Varane was promoted to the club's under-19 team, despite being two years younger than several of his teammates. Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Varane signed his first professional contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.rclensois.fr/contrats/varane-et-deligny-egalement-pros-a7655.html |publisher=RC Lensois |title=Varane et Deligny également pros? |language=fr |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} He was, subsequently, promoted to the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France amateur.{{cite web |url=http://www.lensois.com/breve-34965-Ab%C3%A9c%C3%A9daire%3A%20V%20comme%20Rapha%C3%ABl%20Varane.html |publisher=Lensois |title=Abécédaire: V comme Raphaël Varane |language=fr |date=1 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105062246/http://www.lensois.com/breve-34965-Ab%C3%A9c%C3%A9daire:%20V%20comme%20Rapha%C3%ABl%20Varane.html |archive-date=5 January 2011}} Varane made his amateur debut in the club's opening league match of the campaign in a 2–0 victory over Drancy.{{cite web |url=http://www.foot-national.com/fiche-match-football-19483.html |publisher=Foot-National |title=Lens v. Drancy Match Report |language=fr |date=1 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718142022/http://www.foot-national.com/match-foot-lens-drancy-19483.html |url-status=dead}} He appeared as a starter in the club's next nine matches with the team losing only one of them.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In late October of the campaign, Varane was called up to the senior team by manager Jean-Guy Wallemme to train ahead of the club's match against Montpellier on 6 November. He trained with the team for the entire week and, due to an injury to centre-back Alaeddine Yahia, Varane was, surprisingly, named to the starting line-up.{{cite web |url=http://www.lavoixdessports.com/L-info-Sports-en-continu/Region/2010/11/06/article_football-rc-lens-raphael-varane-devrait-debuter.shtml |publisher=La Voix des Sports |title=Raphaël Varane débutera face à Montpellier dimanche |language=fr |date=6 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} In the match, he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 victory. The victory was only the club's third clean sheet of the season. Varane was praised by teammates, most notably captain Adil Hermach, defensive partner Éric Chelle, and striker David Pollet, as well as by the local media and coach Wallemme.{{cite web |url=http://www.nordeclair.fr/Sports/Football/2010/11/09/lens-emporte-par-le-souffle-de-la-jeunes.shtml |publisher=Nord Eclair |title=Lens emporté par le souffle de la jeunesse |language=fr |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727113308/http://www.nordeclair.fr/Sports/Football/2010/11/09/lens-emporte-par-le-souffle-de-la-jeunes.shtml |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.lensois.com/breve-rclens-33699--j-ai-ete-surpris-par-rapha%C3%ABl-varane-.html |publisher=Lensois |title=J'ai été surpris par Raphaël Varane |language=fr |date=19 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231043704/http://www.lensois.com/breve-rclens-33699--j-ai-ete-surpris-par-rapha%C3%ABl-varane-.html |archive-date=31 December 2010}} In the next two matches, Varane, alongside several other youth players, sat on the bench as Lens faced two tough teams in Marseille and Lyon.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53751 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Marseille v. Lens Match Report |language=fr |date=13 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53756 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Lens v. Lyon Match Report |language=fr |date=21 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} He returned to the starting line-up on 30 November in a 4–1 defeat to Brest.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/73810 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Brest v. Lens Match Report |language=fr |date=30 November 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} Despite the firing of Wallemme following the Brest match, Varane remained a starter in the team under new manager László Bölöni. In December, with both Chelle and Yahia returning to action, Varane was placed in the defensive midfielder role in the team's match against Bordeaux. In the match, he acted as a roving third centre-back and made a blocked save in the 84th minute on a close range shot by Yoan Gouffran to preserve a 2–1 lead.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_commentary/0,19764,11065_3280760,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |title=Match Commentary: Bordeaux v. Lens |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} However, in the latter stages of the match, Bordeaux equalized to draw the match at 2–2.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53803 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Bordeaux v. Lens Match Report |language=fr |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}}

In early 2011, Varane was the subject of transfer speculation linking him to several clubs.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |title=Manchester United poised to sign Lens prospect Raphaël Varane |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/18/manchester-united-raphael-varane-lens |access-date=1 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=18 May 2011}} In an effort to quell the interest, on 3 February 2011, he signed a two-year contract extension with Lens until 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.lensois.com/article-2747-varane-j-ai-prolonge-a-lens-jusqu-en-2015-.html |publisher=Lensois |title=Varane: "J'ai prolongé à Lens jusqu'en 2015" |language=fr |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=5 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205121105/http://www.lensois.com/article-2747-varane-j-ai-prolonge-a-lens-jusqu-en-2015-.html |archive-date=5 February 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Region/Breves/Breves_Sports/2011/02/04/article_football-lens-raphael-varane-prolonge-jusqu-en.shtml |publisher=La Voix du Nord |title=Raphaël Varane prolonge jusqu'en 2015 |language=fr |date=4 February 2011 |access-date=5 February 2011 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927132347/http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Region/Breves/Breves_Sports/2011/02/04/article_football-lens-raphael-varane-prolonge-jusqu-en.shtml |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://www.chronofoot.com/lens/raphael-varane-prolonge-a-lens_mrm133464.html |publisher=Chronofoot |title=Raphael Varane prolonge à Lens! |language=fr |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=5 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208193244/http://www.chronofoot.com/lens/raphael-varane-prolonge-a-lens_mrm133464.html |archive-date=8 December 2012}} On 8 May, Varane scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 draw with Caen.{{cite web |url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53985 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Caen v. Lens Match Report |language=fr |date=7 May 2011 |access-date=7 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510145006/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53985 |archive-date=10 May 2011}} In the team's following match against Monaco, he scored the equalizing goal in another 1–1 draw.{{cite web |url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53989 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Monaco v. Lens Match Report |language=fr |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518133718/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53989 |archive-date=18 May 2011}} Despite the goal, the stalemate condemned Lens to relegation back to Ligue 2 after two seasons in the top division.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/920251/ligue-1:-lens-relegated-after-monaco-stalemate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519205402/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/920251/ligue-1:-lens-relegated-after-monaco-stalemate |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2011 |publisher=ESPN |title=Lens go down after Monaco draw |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011}} On 21 May, Varane captained Lens in its 1–0 defeat to Arles-Avignon.{{cite web |url=http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53994 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |title=Lens v. Arles-Avignon Match Report |language=fr |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=21 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524141443/http://new.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/53994 |archive-date=24 May 2011}}

File:Raphaël Varane in Real Madrid.jpg in 2011]]

On 22 June 2011, Lens president Gervais Martel confirmed to a group of supporters at a club meeting that Varane would be joining La Liga club Real Madrid.{{cite web |url=http://www.rclens.fr/infos_2011/06/22_reunion_supporters/index.php |publisher=RC Lens |title=Gervais Martel a répondu aux supporters |language=fr |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623142804/http://www.rclens.fr/infos_2011/06/22_reunion_supporters/index.php#ancreContenu |archive-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110622_233831_varane-au-real-selon-martel.html |publisher=L'Equipe |title=Varane au Real selon Martel |language=fr |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625032210/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2011/20110622_233831_varane-au-real-selon-martel.html |archive-date=25 June 2011}} Varane had previously visited Real Madrid's club facilities and also met with club advisor and compatriot Zinedine Zidane.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/930702/real-madrid-confirm-capture-of-lens-starlet-raphael-varane?cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703112347/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/930702/real-madrid-confirm-capture-of-lens-starlet-raphael-varane?cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 July 2011 |title=Real confirm capture of starlet Varane |date=27 June 2011 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=27 June 2011}} On 27 June, the move was confirmed by Real Madrid after Varane passed his medical. Varane signed a six-year contract with the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330061731207/noticia/Noticia/Raphael_Varane_firma_su_contrato_con_el_Real_Madrid.htm |title=Raphaël Varane firma su contrato con el Real Madrid |date=27 June 2011 |work=Real Madrid CF|access-date=27 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630144003/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1330061731207/noticia/Noticia/Raphael_Varane_firma_su_contrato_con_el_Real_Madrid.htm |archive-date=30 June 2011}}

Varane was assigned the number 19 shirt and made his club debut for Real Madrid in the club's opening pre-season fixture against American outfit Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2011 World Football Challenge. He appeared as a half-time substitute as Real Madrid cruised to a 4–1 win.{{cite web |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/real-madrid-boss-mourinho-delighted-debut-boys-la-galaxy-win-1763141 |title=Real Madrid boss Mourinho delighted with debut boys in LA Galaxy win |date=16 July 2011 |work=tribalfootball.com}} Varane made his first start for the club four days later in a 3–0 win over Mexican club Guadalajara. He finished the pre-season campaign appearing in seven of the eight pre-season matches Real Madrid contested.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

Varane made his competitive debut for Real Madrid on 21 September in the team's league match against Racing Santander. He started the match at centre-back alongside Ricardo Carvalho as the match ended 0–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.managingmadrid.com/2011/9/21/2440810/real-madrid-at-racing-santander-recap-madrid-cant-score |title=Real Madrid at Racing Santander Recap: Madrid Can't Score |date=21 September 2011 |work=managingmadrid.com}} In the team's next league match three days later against Rayo Vallecano, Varane started and scored his first goal for the club after a flying back-heel shot following a Mesut Özil corner. Real Madrid won the match 6–2. Varane's goal made him the youngest foreign player at 18 years and 152 days to score a goal in a competitive match for Real Madrid.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv5.org/cms/chaine-francophone/Sports/football/p-15281-Real-Varane-entre-deja-dans-l-histoire.htm?item_id=7947 |title=Real: Varane entre déjà dans l'histoire |date=14 August 2011 |work=TV5 Monde|access-date=25 September 2011 |language=fr}} On 27 September, he made his UEFA Champions League debut in a 3–0 group stage win over Dutch club Ajax.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2007592--real-madrid-vs-ajax/ |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |title=Masterful Madrid too much for Ajax |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=7 December 2011}} Two months later, Varane made his second Champions League appearance against Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. In the match, Varane started and assisted on the team's fifth goal, scored by José Callejón, in a 6–2 win. The victory ensured Real Madrid first place in its group.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2007639--real-madrid-vs-gnk-dinamo/ |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |title=Perfect Madrid put six past Dinamo |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=7 December 2011}}

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Varane switched to the number 2 shirt. After failing to appear in Real Madrid's first four league matches, he made his season debut on 18 September in the club's opening UEFA Champions League group stage match against English club Manchester City. Varane started and played the entire match as Real Madrid won 3–2.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2009503--real-madrid-vs-man-city/ |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |title=Ronaldo completes remarkable Madrid comeback |date=18 September 2012 |access-date=19 September 2012}}

On 30 January 2013, Varane made his El Clásico debut against Barcelona in the 2012–13 Copa del Rey. He stopped a group of dangerous attempts from Barcelona, including a shot from Xavi that he cleared from the goal line. He capped his performance with a headed goal in the game, which ended 1–1. He also became the second-youngest foreign player to score for Real Madrid in a Clásico match. In the return leg at the Camp Nou on 26 February 2013, Varane scored Madrid's third goal in a 3–1 away win with a header from a corner kick by Mesut Özil. Varane gained praise from former World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu after his performances against Barcelona and Manchester United. He said, "We are talking about a kid at Real Madrid who has unseated Pepe, and Pepe, with all his stuff, is still a great centre-half. His performance against Manchester United and Barcelona was extraordinary". Varane continued to impress in the Champions League quarter final first leg against Galatasaray, where he helped Madrid keep a clean sheet in a 3–0 triumph. All of his 27 passes found his teammates without any interception, and all of his tackles succeeded, with most on Didier Drogba.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In April 2013, Varane was named by Marca readers as a member of the "Best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history".{{cite news |url=http://www.marca.com/2013/04/11/en/football/real_madrid/1365709938.html |title=The best foreign eleven in Real Madrid's history |date=12 April 2013 |work=Marca |location=Spain|access-date=11 September 2020}} On 14 May 2013, Varane successfully underwent an operation on his right knee after an injury he had picked up during his last 2012–13 league match against Real Sociedad.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-spain-varane-idINDEE94B08J20130512 |title=Real defender Varane to have surgery on knee injury |date=13 May 2013 |work=Reuters|access-date=16 July 2021}}

Varane came on as an injury-time substitute for Karim Benzema in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final which Real Madrid won 2–1 against Barcelona on 16 April.{{cite news |title=Madrid crowned clasico kings |url=http://www.espnfc.com/us/en/report/391361/report.html?soccernet=true|access-date=15 May 2014 |publisher=ESPN |date=16 April 2014}} He played all 120 minutes of Real Madrid's 4–1 win over Atlético Madrid in the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, in place of the more experienced Pepe. In added time at the end of extra time, after Cristiano Ronaldo scored the last goal, Varane kicked the ball towards Atlético manager Diego Simeone, causing him to run onto the pitch in anger. Simeone was sent to the stands and Varane booked for the incident. After the game, Atlético captain Gabi excused Varane due to his youth, while Simeone himself said, "I also made a mistake with my reaction. He's a young guy with a bright future."{{cite news |title=Simeone squares up to Varane |url=http://www.marca.com/2014/05/25/en/football/spanish_football/1400974294.html|access-date=25 May 2014 |newspaper=Marca |date=25 May 2014}} On 18 September 2014, Varane signed a new six-year contract to keep him at Real Madrid until 2020.{{cite news |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2014/09/official-statement-varane |title=Official statement: Varane |date=18 September 2014|access-date=18 September 2014 |publisher=Real Madrid CF}} He was a part-time starter when the team won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e957c5979eb-37493cb53cd0-1000--spot-on-real-madrid-defeat-atletico-in-final-again/ |title=Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again |date=28 May 2016 |publisher=UEFA}}

File:FC RB Salzburg v.Real Madrid (Testspiel, 7. August 2019) 30.jpg in 2019]]

Despite having a few injuries during the season, he made 23 appearances, when Madrid won the 2016–17 La Liga.{{cite web |url=http://www.laliga.es/noticias/real-madrid-campeon-de-laliga-santander-2016-17 |title=El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17 |date=21 May 2017 |work=laliga.es}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39926301 |title=Real Madrid win La Liga title with victory at Malaga |date=21 May 2017 |website=BBC Sport}} He was starting in the final when Madrid won the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c5117c008df-de0901ea6dae-1000--majestic-real-madrid-win-champions-league-in-cardiff/ |title=Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff |date=3 June 2017 |publisher=UEFA}}

Varane's contract was extended until 2022 on 27 September 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2017/09/varanes-contract-extension |title=Ceremony to mark Raphaël Varane's contract renewal |date=27 September 2017 |publisher=Real Madrid C.F.}} During the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, he made eleven appearances, when Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall Champions League title.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0245-0e98d7318379-716954065574-1000--madrid-beat-liverpool-to-complete-hat-trick/ |title=Madrid beat Liverpool to complete hat-trick |date=26 May 2018 |publisher=UEFA}} Following his club and international performances throughout the year, he was included in the 30-man shortlist for the 2018 Ballon d'Or,{{cite web |last=Dobson |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/08/soccer-ballon-dor-football-ronaldo-messi-kane-salah-kirby-bronze-hazard-liverpool-chelsea-real |title=Ballon d'Or 2018: contenders for football's global honour revealed |date=8 October 2018|access-date=1 September 2020 |website=The Guardian}} finishing in seventh place in the final ranking.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2018 |title=Le classement final du Ballon d'Or France Football 2018 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Le-classement-final-du-ballon-d-or-france-football-2018/964814 |work=France Football |language=fr}} He was also placed ninth in The Best FIFA Men's Player behind Kevin De Bruyne,{{cite web |date=24 September 2018 |title=FIFA Football Awards 2018 – Voting Results |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/10753307bf424cff/original/o1m6b5xups6mdzeq454o-pdf.pdf|access-date=24 September 2018 |publisher=FIFA}} and was elected as the starting centre-back for both the 2018 FIFPro Men's World11{{cite web |date=24 September 2018 |title=DE GEA, KANTE AND MBAPPE IN WORLD 11 |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/de-gea-kante-mbappe-in-world-11/en/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925025843/https://www.fifpro.org/news/de-gea-kante-mbappe-in-world-11/en/|archive-date=25 September 2018|access-date=13 December 2019 |publisher=Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels}} and the UEFA Team of the Year.{{cite web |date=11 January 2019 |title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2018 revealed |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d8202451389-96824880e336-1000--uefa-com-fans-team-of-the-year-2018-revealed/|access-date=11 January 2019 |publisher=UEFA}}

During the 2018–19 season, he made 43 appearances, while winning the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup.{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/real-madrid-win-third-successive-global-crown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222230424/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/real-madrid-win-third-successive-global-crown |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2018 |title=Real Madrid win third successive global crown |publisher=FIFA |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=22 December 2018}} He was a regular starter during the following league season, as Real Madrid won the 2019–20 La Liga title.{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/07/17/5f10db2146163f3c2c8b45d7.html |title=Real Madrid win the longest LaLiga Santander season |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=17 July 2020 |newspaper=Marca |location=Spain}} During the Champions League, Madrid were eliminated in the round of 16 by Manchester City.{{Cite news |date=7 August 2020 |title=Manchester City 2–1 Real Madrid: Pep Guardiola's side win 4–2 on aggregate |website=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53683510 |access-date=8 August 2020}} In the second leg at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, Madrid lost the game 2–1, with Varane being deemed to be at fault for both goals. The mistakes committed by the Frenchman were due to the high pressuring from Gabriel Jesus which led to Varane losing possession of the ball both times.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2020 |title=Varane 4/10 as defensive mistakes doom Madrid to Champions League exit |url=https://global.espn.com/football/real-madrid/story/4155322/varane-4-out-of-10-as-defensive-mistakes-doom-madrid-to-champions-league-exit |access-date=8 August 2020 |website=ESPN}} He has since apologised for his mistakes.{{Cite web |title='This is my defeat' – Varane takes responsibility for Madrid Champions League exit after Man City horror show |website=Goal |publisher=DAZN Group |location=Leeds |url=https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/this-is-my-defeat-varane-takes-responsibility-for-madrid/14uydsujwwf5w1x8omjrzulri6 |date=7 August 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020}}

File:Manchester United v Newcastle United, 11 September 2021 (30).jpg in 2021]]

On 27 July 2021, it was announced that Manchester United and Real Madrid had reached an agreement for Varane's transfer, subject to a medical and to player terms being finalised.{{Cite web |title=Man Utd reaches agreement for Raphael Varane transfer from Real Madrid |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-reaches-agreement-for-raphael-varane-transfer-from-real-madrid|access-date=27 July 2021 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United}}{{Cite web |title=Official Announcement: Raphaël Varane |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2021/07/27/official-announcement-raphael-varane|access-date=27 July 2021 |website=realmadrid.com}} The transfer was completed on 14 August 2021, after Varane was announced in front of a packed Old Trafford crowd ahead of United's Premier League opener against Leeds United.{{Cite web |title=United announce Varane signing |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/raphael-varane-completes-transfer-from-real-madrid-to-manchester-united|access-date=14 August 2021 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United}}{{cite news |title=Raphael Varane: Manchester United sign France defender on four-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58176187 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2021 |accessdate=14 August 2021}} He was given the number 19 shirt previously worn by Amad, which he also donned during his first season with Real Madrid.{{Cite web |title=Varane squad number revealed |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/raphael-varane-squad-number-at-man-utd-revealed|access-date=14 August 2021 |date=14 August 2021 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |first=Matthew |last=Holt}} He made his debut on 29 August 2021 and contributed an assist to the winning goal in a 1–0 win away against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{Cite web |title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Manchester United: Mason Greenwood hits winner |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58295875|access-date=29 August 2021 |date=29 August 2021 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |first=Neil |last=Johnston}} On 2 May 2022, Varane scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win against Brentford.{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Simon |date=2 May 2022 |title=Man Utd 3-0 Brentford: Fernandes, Ronaldo & Varane score in morale-boosting win |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61212449 |access-date=3 May 2022}}

On 22 October 2022, Varane suffered a leg injury in a Premier League match against Chelsea. United manager Erik ten Hag said in a press conference on 26 October that the injury would rule Varane out of all of the club's matches ahead of the break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leaving his chances of being selected in the France squad for the tournament uncertain.{{cite news |title=Manchester United: Raphael Varane out until World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo back in squad for Europa League |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63399744 |website=BBC Sport |date=26 October 2022 |accessdate=27 October 2022}}

On 26 February 2023, Raphaël Varane won his first trophy with United as he took place in the starting line-up in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley, which Manchester United won 2–0.{{Cite web |title=Man Utd 2-0 Newcastle: Erik ten Hag's side win Carabao Cup to end six-year trophy drought |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11938/12817244/man-utd-2-0-newcastle-erik-ten-hags-side-win-carabao-cup-to-end-six-year-trophy-drought |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}

On 14 August 2023, Varane scored the winning goal in Manchester United's first game of the 2023–24 season in a 1–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/14/manchester-united-wolves-premier-league-match-report |title=Raphaël Varane gives nervy Manchester United win against lively Wolves |work=The Guardian |date=14 August 2023 }}

On 14 May 2024, Varane announced that he would depart the club at the end of the season as a free agent.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-14 |title=Varane announces departure from United |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/raphael-varane-announces-departure-from-man-utd |access-date=2024-05-14 |publisher=Manchester United FC |language=en}} On 25 May 2024, Varane made his final appearance for the Red Devils, lifting the FA Cup after a 2–1 victory against local rivals Manchester City at Wembley. In total, he made 92 appearances for United and scored two goals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-man-utd-players-leave-29234073.amp|publisher=Wales Online|title=Five Man Utd players to leave after FA Cup win|date=25 May 2024 }}

On 28 July 2024, it was announced that Serie A club Como signed Varane on a two-year deal with an option to extend.{{Cite web |title=Como 1907 sign World Cup and four time Champions League winner Raphaël Varane|url=https://comofootball.com/en/como-1907-sign-raphael-varane/|date=28 July 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728193057/https://comofootball.com/en/como-1907-sign-raphael-varane/|website=comofootball.com |archive-date=28 July 2024|language=en|publisher=Como 1907|url-status=live}} On 11 August, he sustained a knee injury in the first half of a Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria, his first match with the club.{{cite web |last=Lambourne |first=Jake |url=https://talksport.com/football/2005010/raphael-varane-como-debut-injury-serie-a/ |title=Raphael Varane's Como debut gets off to worst start possible after just 20 minutes in Cesc Fabregas' first match in charge |publisher=talkSPORT |date=13 August 2024 }} Later that month, he was excluded from the club's Serie A squad list.{{cite web |url=https://www.footitalia.com/varane-excluded-from-comos-serie-a-squad-list/ |title=Varane excluded from Como's Serie A squad list |publisher=FootItalia.com |date=31 August 2024 }} He announced his retirement on 25 September 2024.{{Cite web |last=Mogan |first=Tony |date=2024-09-25 |title=Ex-Man Utd star announces shock retirement after just 23 minutes for new club |url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/09/25/former-man-utd-star-announces-shock-retirement-just-23-minutes-new-club-21666985/ |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Metro |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-25 |title=Raphael Varane: Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and France defender retires aged 31 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ced0yjn3wj0o |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{cite web | url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/club/announcements/comunicado-oficial-retirada-de-raphael-varane-25-09-2024|title=Official Announcement: Raphaël Varane has retired | date=25 September 2024|website=Real Madrid CF}}

File:Raphaël Varane (1).jpg in 2011]]

Varane was a France youth international having earned caps at under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels.{{cite web |url=https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/8493-varane-raphael/fiche.html |title=Raphaël Varane |publisher=French Football Federation|access-date=1 November 2021}}

Prior to playing for the under-18 team, he was called up to the under-17 team but did not make an appearance. Varane made his debut with the under-18 team on 24 August 2010 in a friendly match against Denmark. On his debut, he scored the final goal in a 2–0 victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/selections/m18ans/actualite/534518.shtml |publisher=French Football Federation |title=Des débuts victorieux (2–0) |language=fr |date=24 August 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011}} Varane turned down subsequent call-ups to the under-18 team because of his increased participation with the Lens first team and, as a result, missed the Tournoi de Limoges and a tournament in Israel. On 3 February 2011, he was called up to the under-21 team by coach Erick Mombaerts for the first time for a friendly match against Slovakia.{{cite web |url=http://fr.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1376567.html |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |title=Kakuta et Varane avec les Espoirs |language=fr |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210131738/http://fr.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1376567.html |archive-date=10 February 2011}} Varane described the call up as "a huge surprise".{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/selections/espoirs/actualite/536376.shtml |publisher=French Football Federation |title=Varane: "Une énorme surprise" |language=fr |date=8 February 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011}} He earned his first under-21 cap and start in the match against Slovakia playing the entire match in a 3–1 win.{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/servfff/fiche_joueur_new/match.php?id_match=1357 |publisher=French Football Federation |title=France 3–1 Slovaquie |language=fr |date=8 February 2011 |access-date=18 May 2011}} On 15 November, Varane scored his first under-21 goal in a 2–0 2013 Euro U-21 qualifying win over Slovakia. The victory ensured France qualification to at least the competition's qualifying play-offs.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/2006954--france-vs-slovakia/ |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |title=France open up six-point lead with Slovakia win |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=7 December 2011}}

File:Raphael Varane - France v Armenia.jpg in 2014]]

In August 2012, Varane was called up to the France national team for a friendly against Uruguay, but was an unused substitute.{{cite web |url=http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3296321/ |title=Varane included in France squad for Uruguay friendly |date=9 August 2013 |work=goal.com|access-date=26 December 2014|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402203118/http://m.goal.com/s/en-india/news/3296321/|url-status=dead}} He started his first match for France on 22 March 2013 in a qualifier for the World Cup against Georgia, a 3–1 victory.{{cite news |title=France breeze past Georgia |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/253591/report|access-date=14 May 2014 |newspaper=Sky Sports News |date=22 March 2013}} On 13 May 2014, he was included in Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite news |title=World Cup 2014: Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy not in France squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27401306|access-date=14 May 2014 |website=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2014}}

On 15 June 2014, he partnered Mamadou Sakho in central defence for Les Bleus{{'}} first World Cup fixture – a 3–0 win over Honduras.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285092 |title=France 3–0 Honduras |date=15 June 2014|access-date=16 June 2014 |website=BBC Sport}} He was also in the starting line-up for the second group match against Switzerland and the knockout matches against Nigeria and Germany, as France were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by the Germans 1–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/04/france-germany-world-cup-2014-quarter-final-match-report |first=David |last=Hytner |date=5 July 2014 |title=Germany reach World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels header sinks France |newspaper=The Guardian}} Varane took the blame for allowing Mats Hummels to hold him off at the critical set-piece which allowed the German defender to head the winning goal.{{cite news |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-world-cup-2018/varane-exorcises-ghosts-of-brazil-as-france-look-to-semi-finals-20180708-p4zq6i.html |title=Varane exorcises ghosts of Brazil as France look to semi-finals |date=8 July 2018}}

In spite of this, Varane was named on the three-man shortlist for the tournament's Best Young Player award.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28274011 |title=World Cup 2014: Fifa announces Golden Ball shortlist |date=11 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014 |website=BBC Sport}} On 14 October, Varane became the youngest player to captain France when he took over from Blaise Matuidi at half time in a 3–0 win over Armenia.{{Cite news |url=http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/raphael-varane-becomes-frances-youngest-ever-captain-in-armenia-win/ |title=Raphael Varane became France's youngest ever captain in Armenia win|access-date=4 April 2015 |work=101 Great Goals|archive-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409182102/http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/raphael-varane-becomes-frances-youngest-ever-captain-in-armenia-win/|url-status=dead}} He was then selected as the team's starting captain for a home friendly against Sweden on 18 November, where he scored his first international goal to give Les Bleus a 1–0 win.{{cite news |title=France 1–0 Sweden: Varane secures win for dominant Bleus |url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/france-vs-sweden/1946143/report|access-date=19 November 2014 |work=Goal.com |date=18 November 2014}}

On 24 May 2016, he was ruled out of UEFA Euro 2016 with a thigh injury, and was replaced by Adil Rami.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36375392 |title=Euro 2016: Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane out of France squad |date=24 May 2016 |website=BBC Sport}}

On 17 May 2018, Varane was called up to France's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12025/11376691/alexandre-lacazette-and-anthony-martial-on-standby-for-france-world-cup-squad-and-dimitri-payet-out |title=Alexandre Lacazette and Anthony Martial on standby for France World Cup squad and Dimitri Payet out – soccer News – Sky Sports |website=skysports.com}} He would go on to start in all seven of France's games and play every minute. In the quarter-final against Uruguay, Varane scored the opening goal with a header in France's 2–0 victory.{{cite web |last1=Bevan |first1=Chris |title=Uruguay 0 France 2 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44652179 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2018 |location=Nizhny Novgorod |date=6 July 2018}} France later went on to win the competition for the second time in history, and Varane became only the fourth player to be a World Cup champion and Champions League winner in the same year, after Christian Karembeu (in 1998), Roberto Carlos (in 2002), and Sami Khedira (in 2014). All the players, like Varane, were playing for Real Madrid at the time they won the World Cup.{{cite web|access-date=16 July 2018 |language=fr |title=Raphaël Varane est le quatrième joueur à remporter la Ligue des champions et la Coupe du monde la même saison |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/Raphael-varane-est-le-quatrieme-joueur-a-remporter-la-ligue-des-champions-et-la-coupe-du-monde-la-meme-saison/923122 |publisher=France Football}}

In May 2021, he was included in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2020.{{cite news |last=Orsini |first=Vincent |url=https://www.fff.fr/article/2859-la-liste-des-vingt-six-pour-l-uefa-euro-2020.html |title=La liste des vingt-six pour l'UEFA Euro 2020 |trans-title=The list of 26 for UEFA Euro 2020 |work=French Football Federation |date=18 May 2021 |access-date=18 May 2021 |language=fr}} He played in every minute of France's four matches at the tournament, including the period of extra time at the end of their round of 16 match against Switzerland; that match went to penalties, but Varane was not selected to take one of the first five kicks as France lost 5–4.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In November 2022, Varane made the 26-man squad for France for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-16 |title=FIFA World Cup 2022 {{!}} Full France squad and schedule |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-2022-full-france-squad-and-schedule/article66105297.ece |access-date=2023-03-01 |issn=0971-751X}} On 18 December, Varane was named in the starting line-up for France as they played their second successive World Cup final, eventually losing 4–2 on penalties to Argentina.{{Cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |date=2022-12-18 |title=Argentina beat France on penalties to win World Cup after stunning final |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/18/world-cup-final-argentina-france-match-report |access-date=2023-03-01 |issn=0261-3077}}

On 2 February 2023, at 29 years old, Varane announced his retirement from international football via his Instagram account. The defender shared a series of photos from his international career alongside the announcement.{{Cite web |title=Raphael Varane on Instagram: "Représenter notre magnifique pays pendant une décennie a été l'un des plus grands honneurs de ma vie. A chaque fois que j'ai porté ce maillot bleu si spécial, j'ai ressenti une immense fierté. Le devoir de tout donner, de jouer avec mon cœur et de gagner à chaque fois qu'on entrait sur le terrain. Cela fait plusieurs mois que j'y réfléchis et j'ai décidé que c'était le bon moment pour moi de prendre ma retraite internationale. Enfant, je me rappelle avoir suivi France 98, cette équipe, ces joueurs qui nous ont fait vivre des émotions indescriptibles. Je rêvais de faire comme nos héros et, 20 ans après, j'ai vécu l'une des plus belles expériences de ma vie, de celles qui m'ont rendu vraiment fier. On a ramené la Coupe à la maison !! Je ne l'oublierai jamais. Je ressens toujours chacune des émotions ressenties ce jour-là, le 15 juillet 2018. Ça a été l'un des moments les plus formidables et les plus mémorables de ma vie. Cette victoire que nous avons remportée tous ensemble n'aurait jamais été possible sans le soutien de Didier Deschamps, de chacun des membres de l'encadrement et de notre staff durant ces années, de mes coéquipiers qui ont défendu notre maillot à chacun de nos matchs. Mais plus important encore, cette victoire n'aurait pas été possible sans le soutien de chacun d'entre vous tout au long de ce chemin. Votre ferveur, les célébrations et les souvenirs de notre retour en France resteront gravés à jamais en moi. Même après la défaite en finale l'année dernière, avec certes un beau parcours, vous nous avez accueillis en héros à notre retour. A chacune et à chacun de vous, mille fois MERCI ! Ces moments avec vous me manqueront c'est certain, mais le moment est venu pour la nouvelle génération de prendre le relais. Nous avons un groupe de jeunes joueurs talentueux qui est prêt à prendre la relève, qui mérite d'avoir sa chance et qui a besoin de vous. Du plus profond de mon cœur, merci. Rapha. 💙🤍♥️" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CoKMpXSOZtt/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Instagram |language=fr}}{{Cite news |title=France's Varane retires from international football |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64498739 |access-date=2023-02-02}} The announcement marked the end of his 10 year run with the national team where he made 93 appearances and scored 5 goals.

Varane was described by Lens youth coach Éric Assadourian as a "truly first-class player" who was "comfortable on both the tactical and technical level."{{cite web |url=http://www.lensois.com/article-1909-qui-sont-varane-kondogbia-hazard-et-deligny.html |publisher=Lensois |title=Qui sont Varane, Kondogbia, Hazard et Deligny |language=fr |date=9 March 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713201142/http://www.lensois.com/article-1909-qui-sont-varane-kondogbia-hazard-et-deligny.html |archive-date=13 July 2011}} On 30 January 2013, the then Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka talked about Varane in the press conference post-El Clásico of the Copa del Rey, saying, "It's obvious that Varane has a good head on his shoulders and will keep improving."{{cite web |url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/41828/karanka-the-team-did-an-amazing-job/ |title=Karanka: The team did an amazing job and really were good|access-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322010738/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/41828/karanka-the-team-did-an-amazing-job/|archive-date=22 March 2016|url-status=dead}} Varane's height made him effective in the air, while his confidence on the ball allowed him to evade the opposing team's press and start attacking plays from the back with his passing.{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2016/12/28/58642fda468aebaa7b8b458e.html |title=Ramos and Varane to be Real Madrid's defensive guardians in 2017 |newspaper=Marca |last1=Jiménez |first1=Rubén |language=en |date=28 December 2016 |access-date=24 June 2024 }}

Former France defender Frank Leboeuf believed that Varane had the potential to be better than Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro, saying to reporters, "Many compare him to Hierro due to his technique, but on the physical level he is stronger and he is much faster."{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2013/03/27/3857599/lebouef-varane-could-surpass-hierro |title=Lebouef: Varane could surpass Hierro |website=Goal.com |access-date=27 February 2013}} Both Hierro and José Mourinho labelled Varane as one of the best defenders in world football.{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3277/la-liga/2014/03/06/4665852/varane-best-defender-in-the-world-says-mourinho |title=Varane best defender in the world, says Mourinho |website=Goal.com}}{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spanish-football/2013/10/17/4339741/hierro-varane-is-the-worlds-best-defender |title=Hierro: Varane is the world's best defender |website=Goal.com}}

Varane is married to his long-time partner Camille Tytgat,{{cite news |url=http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/real-madrid-defender-raphael-varane-got-married-to-camille-tytgat-pictures-video/ |title=Real Madrid defender Raphaël Varane got married to Camille Tytgat [Pictures & Video]|access-date=21 June 2016 |publisher=101greatgoals.com|archive-date=11 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711062221/http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/real-madrid-defender-raphael-varane-got-married-to-camille-tytgat-pictures-video/|url-status=dead}} and they have a son named Ruben{{cite news |url=https://www.realtotal.de/pepe-varane-franzose-erstmals-vater/ |title=Papa Varane: Franzose erstmals Vater|access-date=17 March 2018 |publisher=realtotal.de}} and a daughter named Anaïs.{{Cite web |title=Raphaël Varane, papa d'Anaïs |url=https://www.journaldesfemmes.fr/maman/bebe/1317400-people-prenoms-enfants-de-stars/2670415-raphael-varane-et-son-epouse|access-date=1 January 2021 |website=journaldesfemmes.fr |language=fr}}

When Zinedine Zidane called Varane about Real Madrid's interest in signing him in June 2011, Varane asked Zidane to call him back because he was in the middle of studying for his baccalaureate exam.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.us/story/2143064/raphael-varane-made-zinedine-zidane-call-back-about-real-madrid-move-exam-stress |title=Raphael Varane made Zidane call him back about Real Madrid move |last=Holyman |first=Ian |date=12 November 2014 |publisher=ESPN FC}}

His half brother, Jonathan Varane, is a professional footballer who currently plays for Queens Park Rangers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/2024/august/04/qpr-complete-signing-of-jonathan-varane/|title=Official website of Queens Park Rangers for the latest news from Loftus Road|first=QPR|last=FC|website=QPR FC}} His sister, Annabelle Varane, was Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais 2018 and competed in Miss France 2019.{{cite web |title=Miss France Annabelle Varane, la sœur de Raphaël, élue Miss Nord-Pas-de-Calais |date=13 October 2018 |url=http://lavdn.lavoixdunord.fr/468818/article/2018-10-13/election-de-miss-nord-pas-de-calais-suivez-la-soiree-en-direct}}

In an interview for L'Équipe in April 2024, Varane said that concussions suffered in various official matches throughout his career had "damaged [his] body", as he suggested to avoid teaching children heading and called for wider awareness among players around the dangers of repeated head trauma to brain health.{{Cite web |last=Marcelin |first=Vincent |date=2 April 2024 |title=Raphaël Varane : " J'ai abîmé mon corps " |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Raphael-varane-j-ai-abime-mon-corps/1458158 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |last=Millar |first=Colin |date=2 April 2024 |title=Varane opens up on 'damage' from football concussions |url=https://theathletic.com/5385097/2024/04/02/raphael-varane-man-united-concussion/ |url-access=registration |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=The Athletic |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=2 April 2024 |title='I've damaged my body': Raphaël Varane warns against trauma of concussions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/02/raphael-varane-manchester-united-concussion-football |access-date=3 April 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} He also revealed how symptoms of concussions had a negative impact on some of his performances, including the quarter-final match against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the second leg of the round of 16 match against Manchester City in the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League.

{{notelist}}

:France score listed first, score column indicates score after each Varane goal.

File:Liver-RM (8) cropped).jpg with Real Madrid]]

Real Madrid{{Cite news |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2021/06/27/10-years-since-varanes-real-madrid-debut |title=10 years since Varane's Real Madrid debut |date=27 June 2021 |publisher=Real Madrid CF|access-date=1 July 2021}}

• La Liga: 2011–12,{{Cite news |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1483981-does-varane-have-the-potential-to-replace-pepe-at-real-madrid |title=Does Raphael Varane Have the Potential to Replace Pepe at Real Madrid? |last=Radicella |first=Lucas |date=14 January 2013 |work=Bleacher Report |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System|access-date=6 July 2020}} 2016–17,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41419129 |title=Real Madrid: Raphael Varane signs new five-year contract with Spanish club |date=27 September 2017 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 July 2020}} 2019–20
• Copa del Rey: 2013–14{{Cite news |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/injury-woes-have-made-me-stronger-says-varane |title=Injury woes have made me stronger, says Varane |date=13 November 2014 |work=FourFourTwo|access-date=6 July 2020}}
• Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017, 2020{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/cronica/2020/01/12/5e1b882ce2704e6d7a8b4598.html |title=Real Madrid win the Supercopa from the spot |date=12 January 2020|access-date=12 January 2020 |website=Marca |location=Spain}}
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017{{cite web |title=Real Madrid CF – Squad |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2022539--real-madrid-vs-man-utd/lineups/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=8 August 2017}}
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Manchester United

• FA Cup: 2023–24;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c2jj8k5vym5t#Line-ups |title=Manchester City 1–2 Manchester United: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024}} runner-up: 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65785637|title=Manchester City 2–1 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023}}
• EFL Cup: 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64693810 |title=Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2023 |access-date=26 February 2023}}

France

• FIFA World Cup: 2018;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44754965 |title=France 4–2 Croatia |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=19 December 2022}} runner-up: 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63932622 |title=Argentina 3–3 France |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=19 December 2022}}
• UEFA Nations League: 2020–21{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2030761--spain-vs-france/ |title=France beat Spain to win Nations League |date=10 October 2021|access-date=10 October 2021 |publisher=UEFA}}

Individual

• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/09/24/5ba94aa722601de3058b457a.html |title=Real Madrid have five players in best Xl including Cristiano Ronaldo |date=24 September 2018|access-date=1 July 2021 |website=Marca |location=Spain}}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2018{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d8202451389-96824880e336-1000--uefa-com-fans-team-of-the-year-2018-revealed/ |title=UEFA.com fans' Team of the Year 2018 revealed |publisher=UEFA |date=11 January 2019|access-date=11 January 2019}}
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d8222ae4584-fc81fa8bf4d6-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |publisher=UEFA |date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018}}
• FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018{{cite web |title=Kane crowned King, Mina the PPG VIP |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/kane-crowned-king-mina-the-ppg-vip |publisher=FIFA |access-date=25 July 2018}}
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018{{cite web |url=https://dreamteam.fifa.com/en/home |title=FIFA World Cup Fan Dream Team |date=18 July 2018|access-date=23 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626225201/https://dreamteam.fifa.com/en/home|archive-date=26 June 2018|url-status=dead}}
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2018{{cite web |url=https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-2018-the-men-world-team-2018/ |title=IFFHS AWARDS – THE MEN WORLD TEAM 2018 |publisher=IFFHS.de |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=4 December 2018 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106194353/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-awards-2018-the-men-world-team-2018/ |url-status=dead}}

Orders

• Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2018{{cite journal |date=1 January 2019 |title=Décret du 31 décembre 2018 portant promotion et nomination |trans-title=Decree of 31 December 2018 on promotion and appointment |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000037909703 |journal=Official Journal of the French Republic |volume=2019 |issue=1 |id=PRER1835394D |access-date=28 November 2020 |language=fr}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Varane, Raphael}}

Category:1993 births

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