Raphael Varane opens up on concussion problems and pulling out of Man Utd game after doctor's warning

Raphael Varane has opened up on his problems with concussion, revealing he has been forced to withdraw from a Manchester United game this season due to the effects of a 'series of headers'.

Varane, 30, has suffered 'eye fatigue' and 'abnormal fatigue' from the effects of concussion throughout his legendary career.

He's played in some of the biggest matches of his career whilst concussed and blamed his calamitous showing against Manchester City in the 2019/20 Champions League campaign on concussion.

Varane also played in France's 2014 World Cup quarter-final clash against Germany with 'eye fatigue' - a game they lost.

This season, he has been forced to pulled out of a Man United game due to concussion symptoms.

Speaking to L'Equipe, he revealed: "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 for the following match.

"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."

Mats Hummels and Raphael Varane challenge for an aerial ball. Image: Getty

Varane recalled his wellbeing at the 2014 World Cup as he played through the pain barrier against Germany, having taken a hit to the head in France's previous game against Nigeria.

"I wasn't going to miss a World Cup quarter-final because I was a little tired," he added.

"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?

"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."

In 2020, Varane made two uncharacteristic mistakes against Man City, which he attributes to concussion.

"I felt it from the warm-up. I said to myself, 'wake up'," he said. "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."

Topics: Raphael Varane, Football, Manchester United, Real Madrid

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar