Raphaël Varane Biography: Raphaël Xavier Varane born 25 April 1993 is a retired French professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Varane began his career at French club Lens, where he trained with the senior team during the 2010–11 season and was on the bench for several league matches. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 in 2010. After just one season, he joined Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a successful 10-year tenure from 2011 to 2021, winning 18 trophies, including three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, four UEFA Champions League titles, and four FIFA Club World Cups. In 2021, Varane transferred to Manchester United, where he added an EFL Cup and an FA Cup to his accolades. He left the club in 2025 to join Serie A newcomers Como as a free agent. Internationally, Varane represented France at the under-18, under-20, and under-21 levels before making his full debut in March 2013. He was part of France’s squad for the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Raphaël Varane Biography 2025
Raphaël Xavier Varane is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Varane previously played for French club Lens and, ahead of the 2010–11 season, began training with the senior team and appeared on the bench in several league matches.
Born: 25 April 1993 (age 31 years), Lille, France
Current team: Como 1907 (#19 / Defender)
Dates joined: 2025 (Como 1907), 2021 (Manchester United F.C.), MORE
Spouse: Camille Tytgat (m. 2015)
Salary: 1.77 crores GBP (2022)
Height: 1.91 m
Parents: Gaston Varane, Annie Varane
Raphaël Varane Biography 2025 Details
| Full name |
Raphaël Xavier Varane |
| Date of birth |
25 April 1993 (age 31) |
| Place of birth |
Lille, France |
| Height |
1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Position(s) |
Centre-back |
| Category |
Football Biographies |
See More:
Najee Harris Biography
Takefusa Kubo Biography
LeBron James Biography
Early Life
Raphaël Varane was born on April 25, 1993, in Lille, northern France, and grew up in the nearby town of Hellemmes, where he began playing football at an early age. He joined the local club AS Hellemmes at just seven years old. Two years later, he started training with RC Lens and quickly progressed through the club’s youth ranks, competing in both the U16 and U19 categories, winning the Championnat National des 16 during the 2008-2009 season.
Club Career
Varane made his professional debut for Lens in the 2010-2011 season in a match against Montpellier, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory. He soon established himself as a regular starter for the team. After Lens was relegated to Ligue 2 in 2011, Varane signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid for a reported transfer fee of around €10 million. At just 19, with limited experience, he faced challenges breaking into the first team but made his La Liga debut against Racing Santander in September 2011. Just three days later, he became the youngest foreign goal scorer for Madrid with a goal against Rayo Vallecano, signaling his arrival.
Under then-manager José Mourinho, Varane quickly became a vital part of the squad, helping the team secure the La Liga title in his debut season. He formed a formidable defensive partnership with Sergio Ramos, contributing significantly to the club’s success. Over a decade at Real Madrid, Varane made 360 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions, winning numerous major trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and four FIFA Club World Cups.
See More: Sander Berge Biography
International Career
Varane earned his first start for France in 2013 during a World Cup qualifier against Georgia. His impressive performances led to his selection for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He played a crucial role in France’s successful campaign at the 2018 World Cup, where they lifted the trophy for the second time. Varane established a solid defensive partnership with Samuel Umtiti, keeping clean sheets in the knockout stages and scoring a vital goal in the quarter-finals against Uruguay.
In addition to his World Cup triumph, Varane helped France win the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and was named to the Team of the Tournament for his performances. He also participated in the 2022 World Cup, starting in the final against Argentina, which ended in a 4-2 penalty loss for France. On February 2, 2023, Varane announced his retirement from international football via Instagram, having earned 93 caps and scored five goals.
Records
- At 18 years and 152 days, Varane became the youngest player to score for Lens in Ligue 1.
- He is one of only five players to win both the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League in the same year (2018).
- Varane is the youngest player to win the UEFA Champions League in consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017).
- In the 2017-18 season, he became the first French player to win four UEFA Champions League titles.
See More: Joey Barton Biography
Awards and Achievements
| Real Madrid |
La Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20 |
| Copa del Rey: 2013–14 |
| Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017, 2019–20 |
| UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18 |
| UEFA Super Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| Manchester United |
EFL Cup: 2022–23 |
| France |
FIFA World Cup: 2018 |
| UEFA Nations League: 2020–21 |
| Individual |
FIFA FIFPro World11: 2018 |
| UEFA Team of the Year: 2018 |
| UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2017–18 |
| FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018 |
| FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2018 |
| IFFHS Men’s World Team: 2018 |
Personal Life
Outside of football, Varane has a passion for music and plays the piano. He is involved in various charitable initiatives, including supporting a foundation for children with disabilities. Known for his private nature, Varane is not very active on social media and prefers to focus on football and family.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Varane’s net worth is estimated at around $79 million..
Family
Varane comes from a sports-oriented family. His father, Gaston Varane, was a football player for several clubs, while his mother, Annie, was a basketball player. He has two siblings: a younger brother, Anthony, who plays for Stade Rennais, and a younger sister.
See More: Seranthony Dominguez Biography
Wife
Varane is married to his long-time partner, Camille Tytgat. The couple has a son named Ruben and a daughter named Anais.
Houses
In 2019, Varane purchased a luxury penthouse in Madrid, featuring stunning 360-degree views, a private rooftop terrace, a swimming pool, and a gym. He also owns a house in Lille, where he spends time with family during the off-season.
