Sports Nicknames - Champions League Varane

Raphael Varane seems like a player that has been around forever, which makes it hard to believe that the French centre back is only 28. He has been in and around the French national team and Real Madrid first team since 2012, performing admirably over that period.



Varane started at RC Lens in France before being signed by Real Madrid before the age of 20. After the 2012-13 season, he became a regular in the side, although he struggled with injuries and drops in form, falling behind the ever-present Sergio Ramos and either Pepe or Nacho in the centre-back ranks. However, this would not stop him from coming back into the side and helping them to a load of trophies in his time there. He has won 3 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies and a Copa del Rey cup, with the club in the semi-finals of the Champions League at the time of writing in 2021.

Because of Varane's success with Real Madrid in the Champions League, he has picked up the (somewhat uninspired) nickname "Champions League Varane" with the French national team. With that same team he has won the 2018 World Cup and made 73 appearances for.

Varane's contract situation with Real Madrid is as of now unsure, with the club and player reportedly stalling in terms of the contract negotiations. Reportedly, English side Chelsea are interested in him. However, wherever Varane ends up, the club is going to have one of the best centre-backs in Europe who has won quite a lot in his time.


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