The Almeria defender has praised the new France international and believes he is fully deserving of his first team slot at the Santiago Bernabeu

EXCLUSIVE
By Alberto Pinero

Alvaro Mejia says Raphael Varane’s talent is “undisputed” and praised him for his patience in winning a regular starting berth at Real Madrid.

In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, the Almeria centre-back – who played for the club for three years after coming through the Blancos youth system, was wholesome in his appraisal of the teenage defender.

He said: “I agree with everyone about Varane [that he is an exceptional talent]. He has waited for his opportunity, and with great performances in his position, has worked up to the point that it [his talent] is now undisputed.”

The 28-year-old also gave his thoughts on former team-mate Diego Lopez, who rejoined Madrid in January following Iker Casillas’ injury absence, and hailed the goalkeeper as one of the finest in Spain.

“I worked with him for many years at Real Madrid and in recent years he has proved that he is one of the best Spanish goalkeepers,” he added.

“While at Villarreal, some of the best clubs in Europe had already become interested in him.”

The Santiago Bernabeu side were paired with Galatasaray in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday and despite making the intimidating trip to Istanbul during his time with Konyaspor, Mejia claims Blancos‘ stadium is the more impressive of the two.

He continued: “The new stadium, the Turk Telekom Arena, is fantastic. It is very nice inside and out. There, football is almost a way of life. The public comes hours before the start of the game to begin to support.

“[However] between the Santiago Bernabeu and the Turk Telekom Arena, I think that Madrid is more impressive. The Bernabeu impresses any footballer, with the stands so high and so many people.”