Raphael Varane’s Concerns About Heading the Ball
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has expressed his concerns about the long-term effects of heading the ball in football. Varane, who joined Manchester United in 2021, believes that heading has caused damage to his body.
Advice to His Son and Personal Experience
Varane revealed that he advises his seven-year-old son not to head the ball while playing football. He emphasized the importance of educating young players about the risks associated with headers. Varane also shared a personal experience from the 2014 World Cup, where he continued playing on “autopilot” after suffering a concussion during a match against Nigeria.
“Personally, I don’t know if I’ll live to be 100, but I do know that I’ve damaged my body,” Varane told L’Equipe. “The dangers of headers need to be taught on all amateur football pitches and to young people.”
Impact of Repeated Shocks
Varane highlighted that while immediate trauma may not be apparent, repeated shocks from heading the ball can have harmful effects in the long term. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing head injuries in football.
“Even if it doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks can have harmful effects,” Varane said.
Need for Awareness and Action
Varane’s insights shed light on the hidden challenges faced by footballers in dealing with head injuries. He stressed the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to protect players’ well-being on the field.
“As footballers playing at the highest level, we are used to pain, we are a bit like soldiers, tough guys, symbols of physical strength, but these symptoms are almost invisible,” Varane explained.
Football governing bodies have started implementing changes to address head injuries, such as allowing permanent concussion substitutions. However, Varane and others have called for further measures, including temporary substitutions for head injury assessments.
Varane’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of player safety in football and the ongoing efforts to minimize the risks associated with heading the ball.