Real Madrid central defender Raphael Varane has been ruled out of the Champions League final with a thigh injury and is now a serious doubt to recover in time for the Euros next month, according to The Daily Mail.
Varane, 23, will certainly miss Madrid’s European showdown with Atletico Madrid on Saturday after Madrid confirmed tests carried out highlighted a ‘grade two injury in the left thigh muscle’.
Sergio Ramos and Pepe are Zinedine Zidane’s preferred central pairing anyway, but should Varane be ruled out for the Euros it would be a huge blow to France national coach Didier Deschamps.
Kurt Zouma and Aymeric Laporte have already been made unavailable for selection due to long-term injuries, while Mamadou Sakho’s failed drugs test had left Varane and Laurent Koscielny in pole to start in France’s first game against Romania on June 10.
Varane’s unavailability would leave Deschamps having to choose between Eliaquim Mangala and Jeremy Mathieu to partner Koscielny, which wouldn’t inspire may with complete confidence considering their unconvincing seasons with Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.
The former Lens defender has enjoyed his most successful season for Madrid having started in more league games for the Spanish giants than ever before in his five years at the club (23).
For more stats on Raphael Varane, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
