Raphael Varane Discloses Awkward First Meeting With Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

• Raphael Varane joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2011 as a teenager
• Cristiano Ronaldo has been at the club for two years before that time
• The Frenchman recalled an awkward situation in their first meeting

Raphael Varane walked into a dressing room full of great stars when he joined Real Madrid in 2011, but he was not fazed and earned the respect of the greatest of them all.

Madrid signed the teenage Varane in 2011 after a season in RC Lens’ first team, and he went on to be one of their best signings in his 10 years at the club.

The former France international won it all, including four UEFA Champions League trophies, before leaving the club in 2011 and joining Manchester United for £34m.

His first moments in the Madrid dressing room saw him walk into the midst of football greats, leading to an awkward moment with one of them.

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Football

Varane, on his first meeting with Ronaldo

Football fans refer to players by the names on the back of their jersey, which is their last name, but first names or nicknames are popular amongst themselves.

Cristiano Ronaldo had referred to the 30-year-old by his last name, and he had to correct him.

“Yes, it’s true,” he confirmed to Canal+ he indeed corrected CR7.

“I think that on the field, there is no need to be shy. I am someone who is quite reserved outside, but on the field, you have to make your own place and be respected.”

Per Sportskeeda, the two shared the pitch for Los Blancos 213 times before the Portuguese left to join Juventus in 2018. They were reunited in 2021 at United, and the forward left again.

The two could be reunited again with reports from Saudi Arabia claiming Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are interested in the French defender whose contract at Old Trafford runs out this summer, per 90min.

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Football

Deco showers praise on Ronaldo

Sports Brief reported on Deco showering praise on Ronaldo after the two spent years playing together in the Portugal national team and making their debut the same year.

The Barcelona sporting director is an admirer of his compatriot and named one attribute only he possesses.