Despite the increasing emphasis on concussion testing in football, Varane’s incidents occurred before such guidelines were established.
One critical match where Varane should have been sidelined due to a head injury took place against Manchester City in the 2020 Champions League round of sixteen.
Reflecting on the game, Varane admitted feeling off during the warm-up and struggling to maintain focus throughout. Despite technically solid performances, he experienced lethargy and difficulty concentrating, likening himself to a spectator. Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat, leading to their elimination.
A similar incident occurred during a league match against Getafe, where Varane endured five days of recovery after a head injury from a corner kick, resulting in significant fatigue. He later realized this was a concussion, initially attributed to end-of-season tiredness.
Recalling the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal against Germany, Varane noted some of his poorest performances coincided with prior concussions.
Reflecting on these events, he questioned whether he would have played if aware of his condition, highlighting the lack of concussion protocols or awareness at the time.
While the UK has a greater understanding of concussion risks, Varane noted Spain lacks such conversations. Unlike the UK, Spain lacks concussion substitute rules, posing challenges to player health.
Varane’s comments underscore the importance of concussion protocols and awareness in football. His experiences emphasize the dangers of playing with a concussion and stress the need to prioritize player safety.
His narrative serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to protect players from head injury implications, especially as football evolves.
