Former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has revealed that he participated in two significant matches of his career while experiencing symptoms of a concussion, unaware of his condition before the kickoff.
Despite the growing focus on concussion assessments in football, Varane’s incidents occurred before the implementation of such protocols.
One of the crucial matches where Varane should have been sidelined was against Manchester City in the 2020 Champions League Round of 16 clash.
Looking back on the match, Varane confessed to feeling disoriented during the warm-up and struggled to maintain focus throughout the game.
Despite delivering technically sound performances on the field, he felt sluggish and unable to concentrate, describing himself as feeling like a spectator. Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat, ultimately exiting the competition.
Varane also recalled a similar experience during his time with Real Madrid, specifically in a league match against Getafe.
After sustaining a head injury from a corner kick, he underwent a five-day recovery protocol but experienced intense fatigue afterward.
Initially attributing his exhaustion to end-of-season fatigue, Varane later recognized it as a symptom of his concussion.
Additionally, Varane recounted a similar episode during the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal against Germany. He admitted that several of his worst career performances coincided with instances where he had suffered concussions days before the matches.
Reflecting on these experiences, Varane questioned whether he would have chosen not to play had he been aware of his condition, highlighting the lack of concussion protocols and awareness in football at the time.
While acknowledging the increased awareness of concussion-related risks in the United Kingdom, Varane noted the relatively lesser discussion on the subject in Spain.
Unlike in the UK, there is still no provision for concussion substitutions in football, presenting challenges for players’ health and well-being.
Varane’s revelations shed light on the importance of concussion protocols and the need for greater awareness and implementation of preventive measures in football.
His experiences underscore the potential risks associated with playing while concussed and emphasize the importance of prioritizing player safety and well-being.
As football continues to evolve, Varane’s story serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to protect players from the long-term consequences of head injuries.
