Raphael Varane
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Raphael Varane shocked many when he left Real Madrid in 2021 to join Manchester United, despite still being in his prime.
The French defender had won every major trophy available during his decade in Spain, including four Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.
Now, Varane has opened up about his decision-making process, explaining that he had already “experienced” everything Madrid had to offer.
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“Madrid is indescribable, it’s exceptional, but I’ve already experienced it,” he told The Bridge podcast.
He went on to explain that he wanted to embrace a different footballing culture after winning it all in Spain.
“And I said to myself, I want to experience something else.
“For me, England, and Manchester in particular, is where you feel the passion for football, you feel it, you live it every day.”
Varane made the switch to United in a £41 million deal, with the move seen as a significant statement at the time.
Looking back, he insists he has “no regrets” about his decision, calling it “an incredible experience.”
However, the 31-year-old has since been critical of United’s leadership and Erik ten Hag’s failed approach, which he felt relied too much on instilling “fear.”
The moment Varane realised he needed a new challenge
Raphael Varane also revealed that his desire to leave Madrid had been building for years, even before he eventually departed in 2021.
“It was a long process,” he admitted. “It’s not like you wake up in the morning and say I want to leave.”
According to Varane, the first signs of change came after Madrid’s 2018 Champions League triumph, their third in a row.
“We quickly celebrated our fourth Champions League.
“It was like a normal thing, the next step is to win the Champions League and think about the next one.”
Then came the defining moment of his career – the 2018 World Cup win with France.
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“Then I won the World Cup and I said to myself, I’ve done everything,” he said.
That realisation led him to rethink his career path and seek a fresh challenge outside of Spain.
“There came a time in my life where I restructured myself, reviewed some things regarding the management of my career, and said to myself, I need to keep feeling emotions, I need something different.”
His decision to join Manchester United was fuelled by that desire, though his time at Old Trafford was far from smooth.
While his journey with United had its ups and downs, Varane will go down as one of the most decorated centre-backs of this century.
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