Top 99 Quotes & Sayings by Raphael Varane

A good run is always good. It helps us to wear the colours of the France team.

In Madrid there is a lot of competition.

Sergio Ramos has a winning mentality and has great experience.

What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the stopper and the libero. Today, central defenders have to be more complete.

I am a shy, quiet and cool guy in life. And I am no different on the pitch.

When you are at Real, it's a challenge every day. I'm like that, I need these high goals to keep moving forward.

To experience a Euros in France is hugely motivating.

I was inspired by players like Pepe or Sergio Ramos because they are defenders and by someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is an example for any footballer.

What is important is to communicate a lot. That's how we manage to create a good understanding.

I know the players with whom I play well.

At 20 years old I'm eager to play and to watch from the sidelines isn't easy.

You cannot have the career I'm having, staying at Real Madrid for seven years, without character.

I have memories of watching the Champions League as a kid in France. We all supported different teams and they were intense moments. Great memories.

Mourinho doesn't need to give long speeches. He's direct and to the point.

I'm obsessed with making progress.

I watch a lot of players in my position, but if I had to name a role model, I'd say Lillian Thuram because of the way he carried himself on the pitch and everything he did in his career.

The thing with Mourinho is he asks you to do what you are good at, but not to over-do it.

I am very happy at Real Madrid.

Pogba is a good player, I know him very well. For any team he would be fantastic.

During a career there are some steps we need to take growing up, that's natural.

It takes a great strength of character to arrive at Real at eighteen years and make a journey like I have so far.

I remember that in 2017, when we won everything, we started the pre-season badly, with defeats.

People have wanted me to change and it annoys me. Do we ask Ramos to be someone else? We take him as he is; take me as I am.

When there's a need for someone to speak, I'm there. When there's tough times, I'm there.

Since I was seven years old, they say 'he's nice, he's nice.' Yes, I'm nice, but that's not all I am.

Basically, I played football to share with others, to excel together, to achieve a goal. After, we all have our ego, our pride and our personality. But all alone, in football, it does not work.

When you don't believe in me, I don't say anything but it titillates me.

One player who gives me a lot of advice at Real is Pepe. He's taught me never to give up. He always gives 100 per cent on the pitch and he tries to instil that winning mentality in me.

Things come naturally in a career. From experience, I know that things progress season by season.

I trust my team-mates.

Don't call me an intellectual. After all, there are a lot more people taking their A-levels each summer than signing for Real Madrid. I was just a good and serious student.

To play for Madrid for 10 years and also being the number nine you have to be very good and have a huge mental strength.

When you're young you want to show what you can do, but sometimes you have to learn not to over-complicate things.

You have to play differently. I try to be more complete to annoy any striker.

I feel more comfortable with fast players because I try to control the depth. For my qualities, it's what I prefer.

Playing with France is the challenge of playing with one of the national teams with the greatest football histories.

Having played an international competition is definitely a plus.

I'm proud to represent my country.

I am not one to discuss my future publicly.

Mourinho kept his word. In the two years I played for him he always kept his word, and he also knew when to throw me in at the right time.

Just imagine, I was doing exams and signing autographs for other students. It was surreal. I'm really proud that I passed.

I understand that you always want to improve.

I've been playing more regularly in 2015 because of injuries but also because of technical decisions.

Being a defender of Real Madrid means being able to make very few mistakes.

I'm quite shy and quite reserved. But when things start heating up, I don't hesitate to show my character, whether that's in good moments, like when we won the World Cup, or more difficult moments.

Zidane's success comes from transmitting calm and never changing that no matter what is happening. That serenity and tranquility conveys confidence and security. He talks little but when he does, it matters.

I see football as a team sport, I'm not looking for the spotlight.

I try to improve and learn, that is good for my career.

The most important thing to me is time spent on the pitch.

Kylian keeps learning and going forward, which he does very quickly. It's good that he is ambitious. He is self-confident, it's good. He always wants more.

Interest from Bayern or Man Utd? It is greatly flattering to hear those names, and I even ask myself if that is really about me.

Winning the Champions League is the dream.

It's the desire to keep winning. Each season the counters are reset to zero. You've either got a title to defend or one to go and win. We want to keep making our honours list longer.

When they are stronger I try to pass in front, that I cannot play. Like Lukaku, for example. He is the strongest forward in the world. He is pure power.

It's hard to criticise Ronaldo. When we come back from an away game at 4 A.M., he is one of the players that goes straight to the training complex to jump in cold water to accelerate the speed of his recovery. He is an example to follow.

Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game and you have to adapt, keep faith, trust and never give up.

Kylian is very important for France. We count on him very much.

During my second year at Madrid, Jose Mourinho gave me a kick up the backside. I wasn't doing well, I wasn't managing to do what he wanted me to out on the pitch. So he chided me, saying: 'Why don't you run in training?' My first reaction was to mutter, 'Oh come on... ' But I knew he was right, I had more to give.

I just play to my strengths and my ability.

We're not going to win 5-0 every game.