When Manchester United’s new centre-back Raphael Varane signed for Real Madrid in 2011, Zinedine Zidane seemed even more excited about the deal than the then 18-year-old defender.
Zidane was special advisor to club president Florentino Perez at the time and he had recommended his compatriot.
‘It’s not easy to find this type of centre-back. Not since Laurent Blanc have I seen a defender with his composure,’ he told Perez.
Ten years on Varane has three Spanish league titles, four Champions Leagues and a World Cup; he’s been managed twice by Zidane; and he’s about to debut for United where Blanc ended his career.