Real Madrid reportedly working to extend Raphael Varane until 2025

Real Madrid have the world’s best center back duo, and they’d like to keep them together for the foreseeable future.

There’s an argument to be made that Raphael Varane is the best center back in the world. While Virgil van Dijk received strong Ballon d’Or consideration as FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi‘s top challenger for the award in 2019, Varane’s consistent body of work at Real Madrid and France likely make him the best. With all he’s accomplished in his career, sometimes it’s hard to believe Varane is still only 26.

Varane has bounced back big-time under Zinedine Zidane this season, like so many of his teammates. He’s been the most in-form center back in the world in 2020, having reached new heights this season in the second-half of the campaign.

As such, it’s no surprise to see that Real Madrid are reportedly interested in extending Varane for the long haul.

According to a report from Nicolò Schira, Los Blancos are currently working on an extension with the French center back that would keep him signed until 2025. (So presumably, his new contract would expire after the 2024-2025 season.)

Varane would be above the age of 30 by then, and since Sergio Ramos is still going strong at the age of 33, Varane would still be in the prime of his career by the time this new deal would conclude. Center backs age better than most other positions, and that’s especially true for center backs with Varane’s intelligence and technical quality.

Since he plays alongside a generational talent in Ramos, it’s often easy to forget that Varane is also a generational talent. He plays an unselfish role across from the Spain international and Real Madrid captain, reading the game and sweeping up danger as it pops up. Varane’s speed and intelligence enable him to make crucial interventions, including goal-saving tackles. Most of his interventions don’t make the highlight reels, but he occasionally pops up on the score sheet.

Varane is a special talent who will be Real Madrid’s captain in the future. He’s been an incredible player ever since joining the club in 2011 from Lens. He is the youngest defender in history to win a trio of Champions League trophies, and the accolades – both individual and team – will only keep piling up for the 2018 World Cup winner.

Hopefully, Los Blancos and their star center back can agree to an extension soon, because Madridistas can surely agree that the often under-appreciated Varane needs to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for as long as possible.