The player of Manchester United, Raphael Varane stated that concussions damaged his bodyand at the same time highlighted the importance of raising awareness among players about the dangers of headbutts.
The Frenchman said that suffered a concussion a few days before playing in the 1-0 loss of France against Germany in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinalsas well as in his former club, the real Madridwhen they lost to Manchester City in it second leg of the round of 16 of the 2020 Champions League.
The player of 30-year-old retired from international football after a 10-year career with Les Bleus, during which he won the World Cup in 2018 and was runner-up four years later.
«My seven-year-old son plays soccer and I advise you not to head the ball. For me, that is essential,” Varane told French newspaper L’Equipe He added: “Even if it doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that, in the long term, repeated impacts can have dire effects”he added.
«Personally, I don’t know if I will live to be 100 years old, but yes I know that I have damaged my body. “We must teach the dangers of headers on all amateur football fields and to young people,” he said.
What studies say about heading balls in soccer
According to a study commissioned by the English Football Association (FA)there are indications thate heading balls repeatedly during his playing career professional is associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment in later stages of life.
«No matter how much the player says he wants to play, “The medical staff has to veto it, because it endangers the lives of the players.”Varane declared.
“You also have to make the player understand that He is not showing his strength to continue playing after a serious injury, but the true strength lies in going out, stopping playing and resting. This can be difficult for a high-level athlete to take on,” she expressed.
Varane added that this season He missed some games for United due to concussion symptoms.