Raphael Varane has enjoyed a sensational season LaLiga - Real Madrid Didier Deschamps counting on the defender

Real Madrid's 2017/18 season won't go down as the most memorable despite the club winning a third successive Champions League, but Raphael Varane was a key figure in the triumph and he enjoyed a sensational campaign.

Everyone involved with Los Blancos throughout the Zinedine Zidane cycle has benefited, however, it can be argued that nobody has done so more than the French defender.

Signed on the recommendation of Zidane, Varane endured a slow start to life at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu often behind Pepe in the pecking order.

After the Portuguese defender left in the summer of 2017, it was the former Lens centre-back's time to shine and make the starting place next to Sergio Ramos his own.

After arriving in the Spanish capital as a 17-year-old, he's now an experienced 25-year-old player who was won four Champions Leagues, two LaLiga titles and is on track to play in his second World Cup.

This is already quite the bucket list and there is likely to be plenty more to come from the French international.

Only one player in the history of football has won four European Cups at a younger age, and that was Juan Santisteban who reached the milestone by 23.

Varane's first final was in Lisbon in 2014 when he was just 21 years old, although it's worth remembering that he only started the match due to an injury suffered by Pepe.

Injuries have often curtailed his own progress throughout his time with Los Blancos, and he's needed to be patient before finally emerging as the club's starting defender.

Those in power at Real Madrid have also been patient because they knew what a talent they had on their hands, and they've spurned various advances to ensure Varane reached his peak in Madrid.

"It's something surreal, following in the footsteps of Santisteban," he explained at Clairefontaine on Saturday.

"I have my own personality and things haven't gone badly for me.

"I debuted with Lens at 17 and then signed for Real Madrid and have won four Champions Leagues."

Whilst there may be concerns about the depth below the starting two central defenders, there can't be any suggestion that Varane lacks experience.

"I've been in Madrid for seven years, that's a lot of experience," he intimated.

"You always think about how you can improve, but I'm happy with how things are going.

"This season I played much more football and I think I've been an ever-present in the key moments of the season."

Only Iker Casillas and the legendary Raul made their Champions League debuts for Los Blancos at a younger age than the Lille born defender.

He was 18 years and five months whereas the Spanish stopper played against Olympiacos when he was 18 years and three months old.

Raul made his debut in the competition against Ajax when he was 18 years and two months old, and curiously this is the exact same team that Varane debuted against.

In Samuel Umtiti, Didier Deschamps has the perfect defensive partner for the Real Madrid star, and the pair will start together in the World Cup.

"Representing your country is something amazing," he admitted.

"I hope that can give the people a feeling of joy.

"It's been an unforgettable season, but it can get even better."