Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says he was told he wouldn't make it as a player because he was too nice.

The Frenchman has since gone on to win a World Cup and everything on offer with Real Madrid, but it wasn't always clear that he'd make it to the top.

"There are some kids you see and know they'll succeed," Varane told Onze Mondial, "but that wasn't the case for me.

"When I was little, I was told that I didn't have the right mentality to succeed because I was kind; I wasn't bad enough.

"Other kids at my school went to fight, but I was kind and principled."

Both of his parents played equally important but different roles in his development, which was helped by their backgrounds.

"My father was a very demanding coach," Varane added.

"He imposed rules and a structure.

"My mother was always on top of my studies. She's a teacher, so she's always been very serious about that."