Quotes from Raphael Varane

I've been playing more regularly in 2015 because of injuries but also because of technical decisions.

What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the stopper and the libero. Today, central defenders have to be more complete.

It's not a fault in football to be ambitious, far from it.

Being able to get some games under my belt and feeling the confidence of the gaffer is something very important to me. That way I feel good on the pitch.

Zidane has tried to get me to improve. Anticipating, reading the play, putting myself in the defensive balance, I know how to do all this. So he expects the same finesse in an attacking sense.

I am not one to discuss my future publicly.

Ronaldo is a bon vivant, he is friendly, he always has something to help you progress. He wants to be the best around. It infuriates him when he loses, he cannot stand it. It's true that sometimes, in the dressing room, it's fun to lose just to make him mad!

I feel more comfortable with fast players because I try to control the depth. For my qualities, it's what I prefer.

Kylian keeps learning and going forward, which he does very quickly. It's good that he is ambitious. He is self-confident, it's good. He always wants more.

I have known Eliaquim Mangala for quite some time and we understand each other well.

During my second year at Madrid, Jose Mourinho gave me a kick up the backside. I wasn't doing well, I wasn't managing to do what he wanted me to out on the pitch. So he chided me, saying: 'Why don't you run in training?' My first reaction was to mutter, 'Oh come on... ' But I knew he was right, I had more to give.

Being a defender of Real Madrid means being able to make very few mistakes.

I think I felt ready and I really wanted to go to Real Madrid. Some are ready and others aren't. I thought about it carefully and I made the right decision.

I am very happy at Real Madrid.

I am thrilled to become part of the HyperX family and to join this amazing group of talented ambassadors.

If I know where I want to play before I receive the ball, it's easier. It's more fluid.

Every season is a challenge and now I am a more complete player. I have learned at the highest level.

I hope to meet expectations. To achieve this, I need to keep working hard and hopefully things will go my way.

I'm quite shy and quite reserved. But when things start heating up, I don't hesitate to show my character, whether that's in good moments, like when we won the World Cup, or more difficult moments.

You have to be humble and learn from the players around you.

I'm proud to represent my country.

It's impressive to be compared with Hierro.

When there's a need for someone to speak, I'm there. When there's tough times, I'm there.

I am a shy, quiet and cool guy in life. And I am no different on the pitch.