Raphael Varane

AMAZing performance by him yesterday, shutted everything down, especially messi.

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has called coach Jose Mourinho "a second father", with the Portuguese playing a fundamental role in his meteoric rise.

Mourinho has frequently stated his admiration for Varane, 19, who is beginning to carve a niche for himself in the Madrid first team.

The teenage centre-back leapt into Mourinho's arms after scoring against Barcelona in last week's Copa del Rey semi-final, and told French TV channel TF1: "Jose Mourinho is like a second father to me.

"In football terms, he has significant input. He shows his support and his faith in me. He finds the right words to give you the peace of mind to be able to improve, which is important. We often talk. He's really close to his players."

Although tipped for great things since coming through the ranks at Lens in his native northern France, Varane's progress from being a promising part of a side relegated to the French second tier to a first-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu in two years has been remarkable.

He said he hoped to continue his progress by being called up for France's World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain later this month.

Les Bleus' boss Didier Deschamps was in the Spanish capital on Saturday to see the defender produce a mature performance against Barcelona in Madrid's Clasico triumph.

"He told me to keep my head on my shoulders and keep playing like that," Varane said.

But he added: "I'm just the same person I've always been. I try to keep things in perspective. I'm playing more than last season. You have to show your worth on the pitch, there's no hiding.

"I really like my nickname: Mr Clean. That's my style."

he didnt say that Mourinho is like a second father to me, FFS journalist, what a bunch of bollocks.

I watched the interview in french, the journalist asked him if mourinho was like a second father, and varane started smiling, stuttered a little, then said something like "yeah, we can say that in football he has been very important for me, he kept his promises and encouraged..."

certainly not as definitive as that article makes it sound

Of the many things said in the interview you chose to pick on the fact that he sees Mourinho as a father figure, anyway actions speak louder than words, the way he hugged Mourinho after his goal against Barcelona nearly brought tears to my eyes, you can't fake emotions like that, the two really love each other.

lmao Nick I don't need that interview to know that Varane likes Mou a lot.

That celebration at the Nou Camp says it all tbh.

nj wrote:what a shit decision he made.

i mean, he just made too big of a step there,
1st he should have chosen a club like Paris, where he could have been an important player, and keep on developping,
cause as said some pundit in France, if he does go to RM, "its like going from junior school to university in the space of 1 year".

i dont know who he advisors are but they are pretty useless.
sorry its not a dig at Real, but it just gets on my nerve seeing things like that.

Canales story all over again

One of the first posts in this thread

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Could easily have happened Z. In fact, that outcome was most likely... his success is miraculous lol. Not only is it crazy hard at Madrid, but he did it with Mourinho in charge and Pepe, Ramos, Albiol and Carvalho.

Sure but Mou prefers experience to talent at times.

I dont care that Varane likes Mourinho lol, are you serious? Mou has been good to him, and trusted him big times, it's only normal that he would love Mou for what he is doing to him.

What set me off is the crappy piece of journalism i saw above. Varane didnt say "Mourinho is my second father" no he didnt, and it certainly didnt sound as affirmative as that article makes it sound. i just like when things are truthfully said and reported. Journalist asking that question in the first place is lol

who cares what he said Fact that he implied it is good enough to think his success was thanks to Mou.

Now that Mou is leaving, new manager will come in with new bunch of ideas and this good very well stop Varanes development as a footballer.

Very jealous you guys have him - he plays like he is 25.

Have to second that one.

The CB I wish Barca had.

It's nice to hear that from you guys. i just hope he keeps improving. you know all this sudden attention from Media to a 19 year old player can be dangerous.

Saw the TF1 interview... he's upgraded his apartment and car lol. Just to clarify, he never said Mourinho was like a father. The reporter asked "Is Mourinho like a second father?" Varane responded "I wouldn't say that. But it's true that he brings me a lot in terms of football." That's the exact quote. He also said "With me, Mourinho has always been honest and helps me all the time." I think it's a very pro relationship, nothing more.

Also asked "How does it feel to stop Messi?". He responded "The collective team effort stops Messi. We try to put him in positions where it's more complicated for him."

Nice interview.

credit goes to Zidane for finding him

he was relatively unknown but he did have interest from big clubs, but the Zidane factor (and madrid) probably was the biggest reason he chose us.

I also have a feeling mou promised him playing time (hence why he called mou honest and keeps his promises). they seem to have a nice relationship and he does say that they talk very often. i think their relationship is bigger than just a work relationship, seems like he sees mou as his mentor/very influential person to him

anyway, he was a steal and i'm glad he didn't end up being sold and bossing it somewhere else

What happened to Varane for that own goal happens so often on FIFA. Only way to describe one's thoughts in this situation:

o should hv cleared, no problem he probably won't do anything dangerous, nuh nuuuh nuuhh fuaaaaaaaaaaaark

Ramos has been so hit and miss lately lol

Varane has been great but he has made mistakes. Ramos has failed to cover him every time he did lol

This kid is a discovery. The perfect defender.

Top class reading-Check

Calm and composure- Check

Aerial Ability-Check

Last ditch tackles-Check

Almost never fouls-Check

what else can we expect from a defender? He is going places with this kind of performances.

Yep. he was there in the most important weeks of the season. from now on he should just focus, train and learn.

He's been amazing but I hope the people around him are keeping him grounded. (Not that I believe this is a big issue since Rafa has a great head on his shoulders if interviews are anything to go by) But there is nothing wrong with staying focused.

He's also going to start for France NT against Spain NT in WC qualifying in a little less than 3 weeks based on all the comments by DD... he saw him in person for all the clasicos and the Man U games.

So many big games in a very short time period. Pretty amazing.

He'll be a nightmare for Barca just like Messi has been for us

Future legend. Please Presi, don't let him go for any price

Varane.

What's this about Varane's back being hurt while with France and him likely to miss Tuesday