France national Coach Didier Deschamps has praised Raphael Varane after his performance for Real Madrid against Barcelona on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old defender put in a masterful display against the Blaugrana in the Copa del Rey semi-final last night – a game he though was his 'best ever'.
But the 44-year-old Les Bleus' boss has revealed that he didn't pick the youngster for his first national team squad because of the Clasico.
“I didn't decide [to pick him] yesterday,” Deschamps told reporters. “He may be a young player, but he's been playing a lot lately.”
France play Germany on February 6.