Nike interviews Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane for Nike Tiempo ‘94

Raphael Varane

Evoking the spirit of Nike’s beloved boot Tiempo Premier, the Nike Tiempo ‘94 remixes a football icon for everyday style. The upper is inspired by the landmark boot Ronaldo and Maldini wore in Pasadena. Exuding timeless class its black leather and stitched vamp is accentuated by suede overlays, a bold white swoosh and block Nike read at the heel. An over sized, removable tongue and yellow stitched swoosh represents relentless attention to detail and offers a further ode to the original; a powerful expression of football aesthetics, full of class.

Replacing the original studded outsole is a premium gum cup sole fitted with a colored Phylon drop-in midsole for lightweight cushioning. Exposed flex grooves designed to provided natural motion for the wearer and help with increased comfort, mixing new technology with the traditional craft associated with Tiempo.

Raphael, this Tiempo campaign is all about leadership, confidence, and rébellion. Do you associate yourself with those qualities ?

Yes, yes, it’s true that I’m a player with ambition, with goals and with high objectives. Yes, this campaign represents me well.

How confident are you right now?

Very. It’s because I play for a very important club. I’m regularly selected to play for the French national team, and given that I’m only 20, I can take a lot of confidence and I hope that there’s a lot of things for me to do today and in the future.

The Nike Tiempo boot reflects both the classic and the modern. Does that reflect your own game?

Yes, it’s a style that suits me; a style that I like and that I feel comfortable with. These shoes are comfortable and light, with a good footing. They suit me perfectly.

You signed for Real Madrid, aged only 18 and having played just 23 games for Racing Club de Lens. Were you concerned at all that the move had come too soon?

No, I think that some players are ready and others aren’t. I think I felt ready and was keen to get there. It was carefully thought through and I don’t think I made the wrong choice.

Last season proved you were more than ready. Your form must have given you so much satisfaction?

Oh it has. It took me a year to adapt, to get my bearings and to get used to it all. Then, last season, it all went really well. I played quite a few matches and I felt very settled. It all just seems very right.

But how many times did you hear people wonder, “Is Raphael Varane too young?”

Yes, I got that a lot. I think that, as I said, it’s just a matter of maturity, of being ready, not a matter of age. However, there are of course things one acquires with experience. But age, to me, is not important.

But you have proved that you are not too young to be playing football at the highest level?

Of course I proved it. Well, I started my professional career when I was 17 and then, things went pretty fast, so it’s not a matter of being too young.

What would you say to those who doubted you though?

Well, I think I can understand them. It’s true that it’s surprising to see a player who, after only 23 matches in the French Premier League, joins Real Madrid but I showed that I was able to meet the expectations and requirements for that level.

So you are now a veteran with loads of experience?

I’m not sure about that but I try to express myself the best I can on the field, to be confident and not to rush things. I think I’ve got to stick to those qualities. It’s very important, especially in the position I play.

Nike Tiempo ‘94

Do you have certain goals you want to reach any time soon?

No, I’ve got to keep working so I can be the best I can be. I think I’ve still got a lot of progress to make. I’ve got to keep on working every day as hard as I can and the best that I can.

Didier Drogba has said you are already one of the best centre-backs in the world. How does that make you feel?

Well, It’s a pleasure to hear that, it’s very flattering. However, as I said I’m not resting on my laurels and I want to keep on going forward and evolving as a player.

Is it daunting to be seen as the future of Real Madrid and the French national team?

No, it’s not scary it’s great. I hope I’ll meet those expectations. In order to do that I need to keep on working really hard and I hope things will come my way.

It has been said that your maturity and the way you play was helped by coming from a big family. Is that true?

Yes, it helped me a lot to have brothers and sisters, especially older ones because it allowed me to evolve faster, to grow up faster, and I think that it indeed played an important role in respect to my maturity.

Have you had to draw on that maturity to get through the knee injury that has hampered your appearances recently?

I wouldn’t say that. Unfortunately, injuries are part of any career and one must adapt, keep faith, remain confident, and most of all one must not throw in the towel or lose hope.

But has it been tough?

There were times that were harder than others, but that’s normal. I think that when you’re 20, you want to play and not to be put aside. It clearly isn’t easy, but it’s normal.

Lilian Thuram was a hero of yours wasn’t he? Did you know that also wore Tiempo boots?

Yes, yes, I know. Well, I like them, it really is a model that I love and in addition, if players like Thuram used them, it means that much more. That’s not why I chose Nike but it is still a pleasure to wear the same boot as my idol.

How do you think the public sees you?

Well, I think I’m seen as a young player with ambition, who wants to play at the highest level and who has played matches watched all around the world. I think that little by little, people are discovering me and getting to know me.

You seem a very happy footballer?

Yes, I’ve got everything I need to be happy, what with the French national team and Real Madrid. Everything is going great, so there’s no reason to be sad.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’m shy! On the field, it doesn’t necessarily show, but in my everyday life, I’m a rather discreet and shy person.

What would you say to young kids who hold you as their role model?

I think that if they want to succeed, they must learn the values of hard work and humility.