Former Como 1907 defender Raphaël Varane has credited former Real Madrid CF manager José Mourinho with laying the foundation for the club’s most successful modern era.
Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, Varane reflected on his time at the Spanish giants and explained that Mourinho played a pivotal role not only in bringing him to Madrid but also in building the team that would later dominate European football.
Softfootball mentioned that the French defender believes Mourinho created the platform that was later refined by Carlo Ancelotti before reaching its peak under Zinedine Zidane.
Varane recalled receiving a life-changing call from Mourinho while he was still at Lens, with the Portuguese convincing him to join Real Madrid as a teenager.
He described Mourinho as a manager who understood his players exceptionally well, always defended them during difficult moments and accepted responsibility whenever challenges arose.
Although he admitted they did not always agree on every issue, Varane insisted he learned invaluable lessons under Mourinho’s guidance. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner believes those early years helped accelerate his development, allowing him to mature both physically and mentally at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Varane also praised Real Madrid’s long-term approach to developing young players, citing the examples of Federico Valverde, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo as proof of the club’s patience and planning.
The former France international believes Madrid’s ability to nurture young talent while competing for major honours is unmatched, adding that other elite clubs could learn from the Spanish giants’ model. Varane’s comments reinforce Mourinho’s lasting influence on one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s illustrious history.
