Toni Kroos has hailed former teammate Raphael Varane as the "complete package" amid his impressive performances for France at the Qatar World Cup.
The Manchester United defender has been a towering presence at the heart of Les Bleus' backline throughout the tournament, helping them earn a place in Sunday's blockbuster final against Argentina.
Varane, 29, hasn't had the easiest of transitions to life at Old Trafford since his switch last summer from Real Madrid, where he played alongside midfielder Kroos for four Champions League triumphs during a decade of success at the club.
But despite initial question marks, Kroos still holds Varane in high esteem and believes United landed a real coup when splashing out £40m on the World Cup winner.
Quizzed on Varane's best attributes, Kroos told Real Total : "He’s incredibly fast. Really one of the fastest team-mates, I would even say. There were a few quick ones. He’s really incredible. I never really saw anyone run away from him in our time here.
"He was a solid pillar for us alongside (Sergio) Ramos for many years. He did an outstanding job and is really the complete package.
"He doesn’t do miracles with the ball but is a highly awkward defender to play against. You can’t beat him in the air and, as I said, he’s incredibly fast, so you can’t run away from him either. He’s a good man."
Varane has become a mainstay in United's defence since his arrival, usurping Victor Lindelof of his duties while captain Harry Maguire has seen his place taken by new signing Lisandro Martinez. His standing at international level is similar, with Varane a key player for France and featuring in all but one of their 2022 World Cup fixtures thus far.
Despite missing France's opening game as he returned to fitness after injury, Varane was a rock at the back in the quarter-final win over England and again in Wednesday's semi-final victory against Morocco. That has set up a mouth-watering tie with former Barcelona nemesis Lionel Messi and United centre-back partner Martinez in what promises to be a final for the ages.
But Varane admitted he feared he wouldn't even play a part in the tournament after leaving the pitch in tears after suffering injury against Chelsea in October. “I thought at the time the World Cup was over for me,” he said.
“I then got a medical diagnosis. It said that if I worked hard at my rehab, I could come back and be ready for the World Cup. I am so happy to be here.”
Varane now has the opportunity to help France become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, along with his fellow winners from the 2018 squad.
“Myself, Lloris, Griezmann and Giroud know each other very well,” Varane says. “We have a lot of experience. We are trying to guide the younger players. We know which direction we have to go in and we want to transmit our calmness and composure when the stakes are high.”
