Raphael Varane from Manchester United reveals concerning information about his concussion.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has opened up about the impact of concussions on his career. The French international, who retired from international duty in 2023, revealed that he has had matches where he felt like a spectator due to concussion symptoms.

Varane recalled playing in the 2014 World Cup last 16 match against Nigeria, where he suffered a concussion but continued to play in “autopilot mode.” Just four days later, he started against Germany in the quarter-finals. Reflecting on the situation, Varane questioned whether he would have played if he had known it was a concussion, considering the potential risks.

The 30-year-old also revealed that he played with head injury symptoms for Real Madrid against Manchester City in the 2019-20 Champions League. At the time, Varane was unaware of the consequences of concussion and attributed his tiredness to end-of-season fatigue. However, he now understands the dangers associated with repeated concussions.

Varane believes that the culture of men’s football contributes to the lack of awareness and conversation surrounding head trauma. As a player, he acknowledges that footballers are accustomed to pain and often overlook symptoms. He supports the Football Association’s trial banning heading for children up to age 12 and believes changes need to be made to protect current and future generations from head trauma.

In response to calls from governing bodies and organizers, including the Premier League, football lawmakers IFAB recently approved the use of permanent concussion substitutions. This move aims to prioritize player safety and address the long-term effects of head injuries.

Varane’s personal experiences have led him to advise his seven-year-old son against heading the ball. He recognizes the potential long-term harm that repeated shocks can cause and hopes that his son and future generations will be protected from such risks.

In the upcoming match between Chelsea and Manchester United, fans can watch the action on TNT Sports 1. The game will be broadcasted from 19:30 on Thursday, April 4, with kick-off at 20:15. TNT Sports is available through various TV platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. To find local establishments showing TNT Sports, fans can use the Pub Finder tool.