You win the Champions League with Real Madrid and the fans don't say "well done" - they just ask for another
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 03.12.21. | 23:44
Raphael Varane has had enough of his old club's winning mentality
Real Madrid is widely regarded as the biggest football club on the planet. They're also the most successful one by all standards. Thirty-four national titles, 19 Copa del Rey wins, four FIFA Club World Cup crowns and record-high 13 titles in the Champions League - all those trophies don't require just good players and top coaches, but a special, winning mentality.
Raphael Varane was a part of Los Blancos for a long time and he knows a thing or two about the way that club works. But there are two sides to every medal: all those wins and trophies also mean that the players rarely get to relax and savour their achievements.
"I just want to say sometimes you have to enjoy what you have. It was good, but the squad there would rarely go out to celebrate important titles. For example, the last time we've won the Champions League, we never celebrated it because there was a World Cup coming up. There was rarely any time to enjoy. That's why Madrid are special. It's because of this special mentality too. It's different."
🗣 Raphaël Varane: “I won everything [at Real Madrid], so maybe I was looking for a different feeling. To defend history. You have to fight for something bigger than you. You have to fight for the club and the fans and this history. That's very important.” [@Matt_Law_DT]
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) December 3, 2021
Varane moved to Manchester United in the last transfer window to have a taste of life at another club and another mentality.
"I wanted a change, not because I don't like Real Madrid's winning mentality or because it's bad, but because I wanted to try something different."
The World Cup-winning defender won a staggering four Champions League titles with Los Blancos as the Spanish giants dominated Europe. But the fans there seem to be taking those titles for granted.
"After winning the Champions League, the fans don't congratulate you. It's just 'OK, now go win the next one'. That's what it was like after winning the first one. I was there for three more, but the reaction was always the same. They just say, 'OK, go to the next one'."
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While it's understandable that Real Madrid fans have gotten a bit too used to winning and that they don't appreciate trophies, it's still hard to feel sorry for the Frenchman.
If he wanted to test himself at the club where trophies don't come by quite so often, he's come to the right place.
PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 15
Saturday
15:30: (5.00) West Ham (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)
18:00: (7.75) Wolverhampton (4.50) Liverpool (1.48)
18:00: (2.30) Newcastle (3.35) Burnley (3.40)
18:00: (2.55) Southampton (3.10) Brighton (3.20)
20:30: (16.0) Watford (7.75) Man.City (1.20)
Sunday
17:00: (1.60) Man.Utd. (4.10) Crystal Palace (6.25)
17:00: (1.92) Leeds (3.60) Brentford (4.40)
17:00: (1.40) Tottenham (4.80) Norwich (9.50)
19:30: (2.50) Aston Villa (3.35) Leicester (3.05)
Monday
23:00: (3.60) Everton (3.35) Arsenal (2.20)
***odds are subject to change***
