In an interview with L’Équipe, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane revealed that he has advised his seven-year-old son against heading the football due to the potential long-term harm it could cause.
“My seven-year-old son plays football, and I advise him not to header the ball”.
“Even if it does not cause immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks are likely to have harmful effects”.
“I don’t know if I will live to be 100, but I know that I have damaged my body… I can feel that”.
Varane expressed concern about the cumulative effects of repeated head impacts, citing his experiences of feeling abnormal tiredness and eye fatigue after heading the ball multiple times during a match for Manchester United earlier in the season.
“Earlier this season, I headed the ball repeatedly during a match for Man United and felt abnormally tired in the following days, as well as having some eye fatigue”.
Despite the culture of toughness in football, Varane emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing the invisible symptoms of head trauma.
“As footballers playing at the highest level, we are used to pain, we are a bit like soldiers, tough guys, symbols of physical strength, but these symptoms are almost invisible”
Since joining Manchester United from Real Madrid in the 2021-22 summer, Varane has made significant contributions, earning 92 caps with three goals involvement, while maintaining his legendary status at his former club.
