'No need to be shy'- Raphael Varane reveals how he earned Cristiano Ronaldo's respect after joining Real Madrid

World Cup winner Varane completed a dream transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2011. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo had already been at Santiago Bernabeu for a couple of years by that point and was very much the brightest light in Madrid’s galaxy of stars.

Varane could have been forgiven for feeling a little overawed in such illustrious company, but the classy centre-half merely made a point of making Ronaldo aware of who he was and that he would not be intimated by anybody.

Quizzed by Canal+ on whether one of his first interactions with Ronaldo saw him respond with “I’m Rapha” after being referred to as “’Varane” by CR7, the current Manchester United star said: “Yes it’s true, I think that on the field there is no need to be shy. I am someone who is quite reserved outside but on the field you have to make your own place and be respected.”

That is a mindset that Ronaldo can get behind, as someone who has spent his entire career pursuing perfection. Varane shares a similar desire to win, but added on how even the very best in the business need to learn how to turn energy levels on and off. He added: “That's the challenge for great teams, to succeed in winning while exerting less energy on the pitch. You can't put your full energy into everything when there are games every three days. You can't run a marathon every day. I had periods where we played Clasico, Champions League, Clasico - in a week you feel like you've lived an entire life!”

Varane won plenty alongside Ronaldo in Spain, including four Champions League crowns, and the now 30-year-old defender has seen a reunion with the Portuguese speculated on at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr. As thing stand, Premier League giants at Old Trafford have put no extension in place for a contract that is due to expire this summer.