With three La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, a World Cup winners’ medal and numerous other honours on his CV, it’s easy to forget that the quick and classy ball-playing centre-back is still only 28.
But then Varane has always been experienced beyond his years. Born in April 1993, he signed his first professional contract at boyhood club Lens just after turning 17, on the back of an impressive season playing with older team-mates at Under-19 level.
Lens boss Jean-Guy Wallemme was so convinced by his young charge’s talent that, when faced with a defensive injury crisis, he threw the tall and composed Varane in as a starter for a November 2010 clash with Montpellier.