Varane’s Struggles: A Candid Look at His Early Days at Madrid

Former French defender Raphaël Varane has opened up about the psychological challenges he faced upon joining Real Madrid at a young age. In a revealing interview with *Le Monde*, Varane described a period marked by “depression and solitude” that began when he arrived in Spain at just 18 years old. He reflected on how his adolescence was far from ordinary, stating, “After joining Real Madrid, I encountered my first problems. I was alone, training constantly but barely playing. I felt like my dream was evaporating.”

Despite maintaining focus on the pitch, Varane admitted that off the field, he struggled immensely. “I was in depression. I no longer found joy in anything,” he confessed. The weight of his situation led him to believe that such malaise was simply the “price to pay” for success in football. “I questioned everything: ‘Did I make the right decision coming here? Should I leave? Should I talk about it?’ I felt trapped in a kind of solitude, as if everything was collapsing around me.”

Even after achieving monumental success, including winning the World Cup in 2018, Varane continued to grapple with his mental health. He described the aftermath of that triumph as particularly challenging: “The period after the 2018 World Cup was very difficult. You realize your dream, you’re at the pinnacle of world football, and then there’s this dip.”

Ironically, it was during the pandemic that Varane found a path out of his depressive state. “The pandemic paradoxically helped me get out of that depressive state,” he noted. “I could process all those emotions and start anew.” The relentless pace of modern football is something Varane highlights as a significant issue contributing to mental health struggles among players. “The calendar is a huge problem,” he explained. “I understand it’s a business, but we are losing quality. You either play at 100% or like a robot. There are more physical injuries, and the psychological impact is enormous; it’s one of the reasons for my retirement.”

Varane emphasizes the importance of rest—not out of laziness but to enhance performance: “Football is somewhat like society; a balance must be maintained.” His candid revelations serve as a reminder of the unseen battles athletes often face behind their public personas.

As Real Madrid continues its journey through the 2024-2025 season under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, Varane’s story sheds light on the mental resilience required to thrive in such a high-pressure environment.