Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has spoken out about the toll concussions have taken on his body, emphasizing the need for greater awareness among players regarding the risks associated with heading the ball.
Varane recounted experiencing a concussion just days before playing in France’s 1-0 defeat to Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup, as well as during his tenure at former club Real Madrid, notably in a match against Manchester City in the last-16 second leg of the 2020 Champions League. The 30-year-old recently retired from international football following a successful 10-year career with Les Bleus, during which he clinched the World Cup in 2018 and finished as a runner-up four years later.
“My seven-year-old son plays football and I advise him not to head the ball. For me, that’s essential,” Varane told French daily L’Equipe.
“Even if it doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks can have harmful effects.
“Personally, I don’t know if I’ll live to be 100, but I do know that I’ve damaged my body. The dangers of headers need to be taught on all amateur football pitches and to young people.”
Research indicates a correlation between repetitive heading of balls in professional football and a heightened risk of cognitive impairment later in life, as highlighted in a study commissioned by England’s Football Association (FA). In response to these findings, the FA has undertaken trials aimed at reducing deliberate heading in matches at the Under-12 level, while other nations such as Scotland have implemented bans on heading on the days immediately preceding and following matches.
The International Football Association Board announced in March that additional permanent concussion substitutions will be integrated into the laws of football, though it remains at the discretion of individual competition organizers to adopt this measure.
“We also have to make the player understand that it’s not showing his strength to continue playing after a serious injury, but that the real strength lies in getting out, stopping playing and resting.”
Varane further disclosed that he missed several games for Manchester United this season due to symptoms stemming from concussions.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
