Atletico boss Diego Simeone said this star was a worthy Ballon d’Or winner
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been vying for the Ballon d’Or prize for over a decade, with Ronaldo winning five times.
Despite his recent triumph being fiercely contested, Messi has seven. In 2018, neither player received the honor, which went to Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.
As is customary, not everyone was pleased with the decision, and Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, was among those who believed it should have been made elsewhere.
Varane was backed by Simeone.
Following Monday’s re-draw, Manchester United will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16. Simeone is once again pitted against Varane.
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“Everyone can choose who he feels is the most acceptable,” Simeone remarked in an interview with Goal in 2018. We congratulate Modric on a fantastic season. Varane and Griezmann were the best in my opinion.”
Varane won the Champions League with Real Madrid and the World Cup with France in the same year, according to Simeone.
Varane departed Real Madrid for Manchester United in the summer following a decade at the club, during which he had many contracts with Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
Varane has 10 victories, 8 draws, and 7 defeats in 25 appearances versus Atletico, and has never scored or been sent off against them.
Varane has been sidelined for the previous two months due to injury, but he appears to be close to returning after being spotted in training last week.
While there’s a chance he’ll play against Brighton this weekend if the game is on, his most likely return date is December 27 against Newcastle United, a team he’s already beaten 4-1 at Old Trafford in early September.
Since joining Manchester United, the Frenchman has appeared in nine games for the club, helping to keep two clean sheets.
United’s defense has improved recently under Ralf Rangnick, with back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first time this season.
Varane is anticipated to be United’s clear first choice by the time the Champions League ties with Atletico Madrid arrive, and the debate will focus on who should partner him. All the defender has to do now is avoid getting hurt.
Simeone isn’t always pleasant.
Varane has had a tumultuous relationship with Diego Simeone. During the 2014 Champions League final, the two had to be separated.
Simeone was irritated by Real’s celebration of the fourth extra-time goal and pursued Varane to express his displeasure.
With Ronaldo at the helm, United has the ability to create even more pyrotechnics against Atletico, and Varane will be close behind.
