Raphaël Varane ended his career at the age of 31. The French world champion spent a decade at Real Madrid and, 13 years after his transfer from RC Lens was completed thanks to Zinedine Zidane, the former defender of the French team admits to having been shocked by the post-formation of Real Madrid.
In the summer of 2011, just a few weeks after blowing out his 18th birthday and in the wake of obtaining his baccalaureate, Raphael Early received a call… from Zinedine Zidane! The cause? The interest of the legend of Real Madrid who sought at the time to attract him to White House for the team of José Mourinho.
“I was lucky to arrive at a club which gives young people time to learn”
Barely of age, Raphael Early left the RC Lens and the metropolis to settle in Madrid in Spain, where he remained for the next 10 years and where he has settled again since the announcement of the end of his career in September. For The Teamthe French world champion spoke about his arrival and the development process of young players at Real Madrid. “I did everything a little faster than everyone else. I was lucky to arrive at a club which gives young people time to learn at a very high level and to mature physically.”
“All the big clubs should copy Real”
“What they have done for years, with me, (Federico) Valverde, Vinicius or Rodrygo, it is exceptional. All the big clubs should copy Real. The club extends training, while elsewhere, young people start earlier and earlier and burn out earlier and earlier.” the conclusion Raphael Early in everyday sports.
