Raphael Varane has insisted he never complained about having to compete for a place at Real Madrid with Pepe.
The France international was quoted in a magazine as saying he shouldn’t have to fight his more experienced colleague for a starting spot but, speaking after Madrid beat Schalke, a game in which Varane partnered Pepe, he issued a clear denial.
“I didn’t say I shouldn’t have to compete with Pepe. It’s a lie,” he insisted, AS reports.
“Although I want to play, competition for places is good.”
Varane also remarked on Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored for the first time in three appearances when he opened the scoring.
“It’s always good for him to score because it helps us a lot,” he acknowledged.
“He has the capacity to change games with his goals. He’s always been ok but when he scores, he’s happier.”
