Quotes from Raphael Varane

At 20 years old I'm eager to play and to watch from the sidelines isn't easy.

Don't call me an intellectual. After all, there are a lot more people taking their A-levels each summer than signing for Real Madrid. I was just a good and serious student.

PSG were interested in signing me, but we never entered negotiations.

Zidane's success comes from transmitting calm and never changing that no matter what is happening. That serenity and tranquility conveys confidence and security. He talks little but when he does, it matters.

I try to transmit calmness and motivation to my team-mates.

Since I was seven years old, they say 'he's nice, he's nice.' Yes, I'm nice, but that's not all I am.

First, you arrive at training, prepare for the session, I get treatment from the physios and go straight to the gym to activate the body.

One player who gives me a lot of advice at Real is Pepe. He's taught me never to give up. He always gives 100 per cent on the pitch and he tries to instil that winning mentality in me.

All the teams that win a big trophy, it is thanks to the collective, when each one takes pleasure to share with the others. This is how it works.

There are some things you gain with experience, but age isn't important to me.

Sergio Ramos has a winning mentality and has great experience.

It's the desire to keep winning. Each season the counters are reset to zero. You've either got a title to defend or one to go and win. We want to keep making our honours list longer.

To experience a Euros in France is hugely motivating.

Mourinho doesn't need to give long speeches. He's direct and to the point.

It's hard to criticise Ronaldo. When we come back from an away game at 4 A.M., he is one of the players that goes straight to the training complex to jump in cold water to accelerate the speed of his recovery. He is an example to follow.

When you are at Real, it's a challenge every day. I'm like that, I need these high goals to keep moving forward.

Interest from Bayern or Man Utd? It is greatly flattering to hear those names, and I even ask myself if that is really about me.

I try to give the squad my peace of mind, my experience of big competitions and to be myself.

You cannot have the career I'm having, staying at Real Madrid for seven years, without character.

During a career there are some steps we need to take growing up, that's natural.

Our objective is to win - always to win.

Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game and you have to adapt, keep faith, trust and never give up.

In terms of pressure, El Clasico is unique, but also a match against PSG is a stimulating and exciting clash.

I just play to my strengths and my ability.