Raphaël Varane’s concussion confessions: Advocating for player safety in football

Raphaël Varane, the former French national team defender now playing for Manchester United, recently revealed in an interview with “L’Équipe” that he has suffered multiple concussions throughout his career, including one before the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany.

At 30 years old, Varane emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the risks of concussions in football to better protect players’ health.

He admitted to playing through concussions at times, experiencing difficulties after aerial challenges or repeated headers.

Varane highlighted three significant matches in his career where he had concussions, including the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany and a Champions League match in 2020.

Despite these challenges, he continued to play but acknowledges the potential dangers of repeated concussions, especially now as a father of three.

Overall, Varane’s revelations underscore the need for a shift in how concussions are handled in football, similar to protocols already established in rugby and American football, to ensure the safety and well-being of players.