Raphael Varane opens up on bonding with Real Madrid legends and differences between Ancelotti and Zidane | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has opened up about his time at the club, sharing fascinating insights into what made that era so successful.

During his years at Madrid, he played alongside some of the greatest footballers of his generation, including Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Stepping onto the pitch with such legendary figures, he always felt like he was part of a battle, fully prepared to give everything for victory.

“You feel like you’re a gladiator, or a soldier on a mission. When you step onto the field, you’re ready to give everything you’ve got to win,” he told The Athletic.

Explaining Madrid’s dominance

Raphael Varane reflected on his time at Real Madrid. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Varane attributes Real Madrid’s dominance during that period to a combination of talent, stability, and an unshakable winning mentality. The squad was filled with experienced leaders who were all at the peak of their careers.

What stood out to him the most was the unspoken understanding between teammates. Despite rarely communicating verbally during matches, everyone instinctively knew their role.

Whether to press high or sit back, the team adjusted its approach seamlessly without needing explicit instructions.

“Everyone knew exactly what they had to do. Sometimes we pressed, sometimes we didn’t, and in fact nobody gave a signal.”

He explained that at times, the first half-hour of a game would feel unstructured, but without exchanging words, players would sense where the gaps were and adapt accordingly.

“There were matches that for the first 30 minutes you sensed things weren’t going well, we were blocked and the space was elsewhere. We changed without even talking,” he added.

On Ancelotti and Zidane

Raphael Varane played under Ancelotti and Zidane. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

His first taste of Champions League glory came under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2013-14 season, when Real Madrid secured their historic tenth European title. Under Ancelotti, the team operated with fluidity, allowing each player to express themselves on the field.

“He’s very close to the players, understands them and knows how to make them feel comfortable and confident on the pitch,” he said about the Italian.

Varane also spoke highly of Zinedine Zidane, who led Madrid to an astonishing nine trophies between 2016 and 2018.

He admired Zidane’s calm demeanour and unwavering support for his players. The French coach fostered a strong sense of trust, and that belief in his squad inspired the players to give their all in return.

“Very calm, positive, always ready to defend his players. When a coach gives his players confidence like that, the players want to reciprocate,” he added.

For Varane, playing under both Ancelotti and Zidane was an invaluable experience that shaped his career at the highest level.