If Raphael Varane were to decide tomorrow he was quitting football, he would retire as one of the game’s most successful ever players.
Fortunately he has plenty more football left in him – and he can add to his legacy over the next week.
Varane is part of a France side looking to retain the World Cup, becoming the first nation since Brazil to do so in 1962, and Italy in 1934.
The centre-back is one of the few members of Didier Deschamps side in the starting line-up in 2018, who are still featuring in a prominent role in 2022, along with Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, Benjamim Pavard, Hugo Lloris and Antoine Griezmann.
The difference with Varane is his staggering success at club level too – winning the Champions League four times with Real Madrid.
No player has won the Champions League four times and the World Cup twice
Winning the World Cup for a second time would move Varane up into the discussion from being one of the best of his era, to among the all-time greats.
With 91 caps for France, Varane is likely to go on to join the very select group of just eight players who have a century of caps for Les Bleus.
Varane’s other club honours include three La Liga titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups, plus a Copa del Rey.
You can even throw in a UEFA Nations League win too.
Varane will be remembered as a fantastic defender regardless of what happens in the final four in Qatar – winning the tournament, however, would be a game changer.
Then his mission will turn to attempting to win a trophy with Manchester United. Easier said than done – but Erik ten Hag’s men have a much stronger chance with him in the line-up.
Varane has been a key part of United’s impressive performances this season, forging a strong partnership with another World Cup semi-finalist, Lisandro Martinez.
At 29, time is on his side to further add to his legacy – and if he wins two World Cups, he could even dream of a third.
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