On April 30, 2013, the football coach José Mourinho made a courageous decision: on the day he played with Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund, he removed the Portuguese Pepe from his central defense.
That was brave because it was a decision against Pepe, a man not to mess with.
Christopher Meltzer
Sports correspondent in Munich.
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But that was even more courageous because it was a decision for a Frenchman who had turned 20 five days earlier.
In the end, Mourinho's team won 2-0.
And although the coach was unable to prevent his end in the Champions League (first leg: 1: 4) or his personal end in Madrid, he later said: “He's still young, but I think he's already the best central defender in the world . "
When the French national team competes against Switzerland in the second round of the European Championship this Monday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, on ZDF and on MagentaTV), the television producers will have the cameras aimed at the usual suspects before the game.
To the strikers Mbappé, Griezmann and Benzema.
On the midfield artists Pogba and Kanté.
There's one thing they won't focus on: Raphaël Varane, the defender Mourinho preferred to Pepe.
Now that his former player is 28 years old, it has to be said: Mourinho was right.
Varane has won the World Cup with France and the Champions League four times with Real Madrid.
There are now many who consider him the best central defender in the world.
He combines athleticism with precision.
He can stop and initiate attacks.
In the economy there is a term for companies that are barely noticed by the public, but are world market leaders in their industry: Hidden champions.
It's similar with Raphaël Varane and France's national team.
He's the hidden champion without whom she can't win.