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#2 Raphael Varane
While a lot of attention on Real Madrid's defence is hogged by Sergio Ramos and his antics, Raphael Varane has been the silent hero for Los Blancos. The Frenchman has had a solid year and is set to be the first defender since Paolo Maldini to finish on the Ballon d'Or podium.
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With a Champions League medal under his belt, Varane took the field at the World Cup with France. His solid performances helped them lift the trophy but then again, the limelight was all on the midfielders and the attackers.
Varane is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world but this might be the only time he finishes on the Ballon d'Or podium. Sadly for him, there was one player who performed better than he did this season.
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Edited by Amar Anand
