Varane played more than 2,500 minutes this season

The Frenchman, who doubled the number of matches played in the 2011/12 campaign, was one of the defenders who committed the least amount of fouls in the league
Javier García
Raphaël Varane enjoyed a season in which he was crowned as one of the defenders with the brightest future in European football. At just 20 years of age, the Frenchman demonstrated his maturity and immense qualities with great displays in some of the most demanding matches. His performances have earned him a place in the Uefa.com “La Liga revelation XI” for the 2012/13 season. In total he played in 33 clashes and accumulated 2,623 minutes on the pitch, doubling his tally with regard to the 2011/12 campaign, making 15 appearances and playing for 1,221 minutes. He also finished the league season as one of the defenders who committed the least amount of fouls: six in 15 games.

One of the best pieces of news for the Real Madrid squad this season has been the evolution of Varane, who has gradually become one of the regular members of the team. His solidity at the back is complemented by the virtue of committing very few fouls in terms of a player in his position. En La Liga he played in 15 matches (1,123 minutes) and only committed six fouls. His most memorable performances were those in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, in which he scored two goals, and in the last-sixteen of the Champions League against Manchester United. In fact, in Europe he racked up 915 minutes on the pitch, the second best in the squad behind Cristiano Ronaldo.