Real Madrid

Raphael Varane hails Zinedine Zidane influence

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 August 2016

Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane credits head coach Zinedine Zidane after deciding to remain with the Spanish giants this summer.

France centre-back Raphael Varane has revealed that Zinedine Zidane was "one of the reasons" that he decided to remain with Real Madrid in this summer's transfer window.

The 23-year-old joined Los Blancos from French side Lens in 2011 and has already made 150 appearances for the Spanish giants, including 91 in La Liga.

The centre-back had to play second fiddle to Pepe and Sergio Ramos last season, however, and it had been claimed that he would look to move on this summer, with Manchester United holding a long-standing interest.

Varane ultimately decided to remain in Spain and the defender has revealed that he 'trusts the club and the coach' as he bids to win a regular spot in the first selection.

"I trust the club and I trust the coach. I talked with him a lot and he trusts me, so it's one of the reasons I stayed. I made the decision to stay, the right decision. I'll continue to improve and I want this to be a good season for me and to be at my best," Varane told AS.

Varane was ruled out of Euro 2016 after picking up a hamstring injury towards the end of last season.