Raphaël Varane is one of the fastest centre backs in the game. At 27, and just coming into his prime, the Frenchman has already done it all. And now he starts the next exciting chapter of his career by signing a new deal with PUMA.
Varane made his international debut at just 19 years old, going on to make over 70 appearances for his country. He represented France in both the 2014 World Cup, where he was nominated for the Best Young Player award, and the 2018 World Cup, playing in every minute of every game en route to France’s victory. At club level, he has won an incredible 18 major trophies, including three La Liga titles, one Copa Del Rey, four Champions Leagues and four Club World Cups. At just 24 years of age, Varane won the Champions League title for the third time, becoming the youngest player to achieve such a feat.
With his time with Nike coming to an end, Varane now starts a new chapter in his career with PUMA, selecting the Ultra as his new boot of choice. We caught up with Varane as he reflected on his career, before looking to the future and at his relationship with PUMA.
You’ve become part of the PUMA family, what was it about the brand that felt a good fit for you?
First, we share common values. In addition to this, I like their designs. I tried them on, and they are comfortable. I also like what the brand represents. I do not want to work with a brand if I do not feel comfortable and if the brand does not represent who I am. This partnership is right for me.
How important is it to you to wear a brand that shares values with you?
It enables me to be authentic, and to be real. I like that. I want to be comfortable. This is how a partnership goes well. Both parts have to feel comfortable, in their environment, to make to beautiful partnership.
How would you describe yourself, what does the mind of Raphaël Varane look like?
It is always difficult to talk about oneself. I am cool, motivated and determined. The brand likes those qualities.
It’s been an incredible decade for you – extraordinary – how would you describe it?
I went very fast. It was really intense. We could not predict everything that happened to me. When I first came to Madrid at 18 years old, I could have never imagined such a career.
What advice would you pass on to the person you were ten years ago?
I would tell him to trust himself, to believe in his goals, in his dreams and to give everything to reach the stars.
What has surprised you about the life at the top and how would you describe the journey to get to where you have?
To get there, I think you need a lot of resilience. You need to have a goal in mind and be willing to make every effort to achieve it. You also need to be able to take a step back during difficult times to learn, and to progress. I think humility is helping me with my career. I did not project myself too much. I rather stay focus on working, and on how to progress. This helps me to go through the stages.
What are the lessons you learnt early on that gave you the tools to be able to succeed at this level?
My education taught me humility. Also, I always have the need to improve myself, to work on my weak points.
Where did you first fall in love with the game, do you still hold Lille as a strong place from a sentimental stand point?
Yes, those are my roots, my beginnings. We always had a ball at home. It was a way for me to let off steam. We grew up and develop ourselves with sports, especially with football. It is hard to explain how. It just became a lifestyle.
Who were your icons growing up and what was it about them that stood out to you?
I have never been an absolute fan of one player or another. However, I had many models growing up. When I was watching football matches, I took inspiration from a lot of players: offensives players that made us dream, but also later on defensive players because it was what I was doing best. There is not a unique source of inspiration. I took inspiration from everything I was seeing when I was little.
You hold the record of the youngest defender to win the Champions League three times – you smashed the record held by Maldini – how much do those kind of accolades meant to you?
We only realize the impact of this type of record after your career. Right now, I am focus on always pushing my limits. I will look at my achievements and put things into perspective later. For now, I give everything I can.
You have won so much and achieved so much, the World Cup is obviously a pinnacle. What moments really stand out for you – like, how does it feel to see your family for the first time after being crowned a world cup winner?
I did not feel like a different man. But it was an intense moment. I remember the final whistle. I won four Champions Leagues, but I felt a phenomenal emotion. I was waiting and counting the last minutes. It was a particular emotion when I heard the final whistle. This is the most vivid memory.
Do you ever catch a look at those medals and it bring the memories back?
No, I am not the type of guy who looks at his trophies. I will look at them at the end of my career. For now, I try to fill the trophies room as much as possible.
How do you handle the biggest stage? You must have face pressure at every juncture – do you relish that?
I think, we need this type of pressure. Over the past years, in Madrid, we were at our best when our backs were against the wall. It is our way of dealing with top level performances. We need this pressure, we use it, so it benefits us. We draw strength from it. When we have not too much stress, we feel like something is missing. For example, we miss playing with supporters, even those who support the opposite team. This type of pressure is a motivation for us.
What about the icon status... being someone for the next generation to look up to, that must feel special. Do you feel that passion to give back to the game?
We are aware that we are privileged, and that we make a living out of our passion. We want to live the experience to the fullest. We are also aware that we have a big role to play in society, for people that are following us, and for the youth as role models. I think we have some responsibilities in this regard. At the beginning of our career, we are not really conscious of that. The further you go in your career the more you realise it. We try to be a source of motivation, and a source of inspiration for others.
A fresh brand to work with, we’re hopefully through this whole pandemic soon and you have a summer tournament to look forward to – do you feel like this is a new chapter?
Yes, I think it is a new chapter in my career. With my age, I am at a crossroad between experience and youth. It is a key moment in my career. We know that central defenders reach maturity at 27, 28 years old. And this is true for me as well.
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