Frenchman Raphael Varane, defender of Manchester United, revealed that playing the ball with his head has negative effects on the safety of players, stressing that he destroyed his health because of it.
Varane explained in press statements, “My seven-year-old son plays football, and I advise him not to head the ball. “For me, this is essential. Even if it doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that repeated trauma can have long-term damage.”
He added, “I don’t know if I will live to be 100 years old, but I know that I have damaged my body.” “The dangers of headers should be taught on all amateur and youth football pitches.”
Raphael Varane indicated that he played a number of matches while suffering from a concussion due to headers, including France’s 1-0 defeat against Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
Varane, 30, revealed that he was injured in the head during France’s match against Nigeria in the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup, but he continued playing in a state likened to the “autopilot” mode in which planes fly.
He added that the French national team’s technical staff was concerned about his safety, but confirmed his readiness to play against Germany, noting that he played a good match, even though he was feeling weak due to the condition of his head.
Raphael Varane said: “What we will never know is what would have happened if I had received another blow to the head against Germany?”
Varane pointed out that football players are accustomed to playing at the highest level, explaining, “We are accustomed to pain. We are somewhat similar to soldiers and strong men, but these concussions are invisible symptoms.”