RAPHAEL VARANE was forced to pull out of a Manchester United game due to a “potentially fatal” concussion.
The French defender has revealed the head injury left him feeling “abnormally fatigued”.
Varane has made 92 appearances for United since signing from Real Madrid in 2021.
However, he has now explained how his career has been impacted by concussion.
The 30-year-old told L’Equipe: “During a match, I performed a series of headers, and in the days that followed I felt abnormal fatigue as well as severe eye fatigue.
“I reported to the staff that I was not fit to play and they strongly recommended that I not play. I took a test from a doctor, the results of which were passed on to the staff and I did not play the following match.
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“But if I hadn’t asked to take these tests, I probably would have been lined up a few days later and, to be honest, I felt bad that I didn’t play the next game because of a migraine.”
Varane also suffered from concussion symptoms during France’s 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany after a blow to the head in their previous match.
He added: “I wasn’t going to miss a World Cup quarter-final because I was a little tired.
“I felt eye fatigue. Looking back, I say to myself: If I had known it was a concussion, would I have said it, even if it meant not playing this match?
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“The staff wondered if I was suitable. I was diminished, but ultimately I played and rather well, even if I lost this duel against [Mats] Hummels [for Germany’s winning goal].
“What we will never know is what would have happened if I had taken another impact to the head.
“When you know that repeated concussions have a potentially fatal effect, you tell yourself that things can go very wrong.”
Another heavy blow against Getafe during a 2020 LaLiga clash was followed by two crucial errors against Manchester City the following month.
Reflecting on the Champions League tie, Varane said: “I felt it from the warm-up. I said to myself, ‘wake up’. I couldn’t concentrate on staying in my match, I was like a spectator.
“The match went badly for me and, with hindsight, I realised it was linked to the shock I had suffered.”
City would go on to win the match 2-1 and progress 4-2 on aggregate, with Varane playing the full 90 minutes despite his concerns.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
