It was a neat description. As Raphaël Varane sat down to preview the World Cup semi-final tomorrow against Morocco, it was put to him he was a "historical soldier" for France, for Didier Deschamps, too. He, and three others - the captain, Hugo Lloris, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
Varane was very nearly not at this World Cup, one step from another final, two from another winner's medal. Injured for Manchester United at Chelsea on 22 October, it had been touch and go, the 29-year-old initially fearing the worst. But he made it and one of the features of France's campaign has been his assurance and leadership, his ability to draw on the experiences of previous tournaments - going back to his first; the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
When France went in at half-time against Poland in the last 16, 1-0 up but not playing well, Varane knew that something needed to be said. And so he said it. With him, it is difficult to imagine any flying teacups. Varane has long traded on his reputation for tranquility, being someone you do not always notice, which in his area on the field is just fine.
Varane was certainly there during the break against Poland, making his points - namely that it was knockout football and France would be out if they carried on as they were. They would ease to a 3-1 win. Varane has been doing similar on the pitch since his return to fitness and Deschamps's starting XI in the second group tie against Denmark, seeking to guide his relatively inexperienced defensive teammates.
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