Raphael Varane has suffered a grade two hamstring injury, according to Real Madrid. AP Photo
Raphael Varane has suffered a grade two hamstring injury, according to Real Madrid. AP Photo
Raphael Varane has suffered a grade two hamstring injury, according to Real Madrid. AP Photo
Raphael Varane has suffered a grade two hamstring injury, according to Real Madrid. AP Photo

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane doubtful for Champions League final against Atletico


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MADRID // Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane is a serious doubt for next weekend's Uefa Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and the start of France's Euro 2016 campaign after suffering a hamstring injury, Real confirmed on Sunday.

“After tests carried out today Raphael Varane has been diagnosed with a grade two injury in his left hamstring,” Madrid said in a statement.

“His recovery will continue to be assessed.”

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Madrid sports dailies Marca and AS reported Varane will miss Saturday's final in Milan.

Varane was unlikely to start against Atletico in any case with captain Sergio Ramos and Pepe manager Zinedine Zidane’s preferred central defensive partnership.

However, the injury could be a severe blow to France’s hopes of landing Euro 2016 on home soil.

AS reported Varane could be out for up to three weeks, which would see the 23-year-old centre-back miss the opening game of the Euros against Romania on June 10.

France manager Didier Deschamps is already without a key defender as Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho was left out of his 23-man squad for the tournament due to a provisional doping ban.

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