Head injuries:

Raphael Varane can’t remember the game

In an interview with French newspaper "L'Equipe", Raphael Varane opened up about all the head injuries he has suffered during his career. The central defender can't even remember France's World Cup match against Germany in 2014, as he has now confessed.

Varane suffered a concussion in the round of 16 against Nigeria and played with a concussion in the quarter-final against Germany. "If someone had spoken to me at that moment, I don't even know if I would have been able to answer. I don't remember the game after that shock," said the 30-year-old, revealing that he was barely there.

"Looking back, I ask myself: if I had known it was a concussion, would I have said it even if it meant not playing that game? For ten years I never wanted to talk about it because it can sound like an excuse and I never wanted it to seem like that because it's not." France were beaten 1-0 by the eventual world champions and were eliminated from the tournament.

Raphael Varane (r.) in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany(Bild: AFP)

"Wanted to slap myself in the face"
However, the incident at the World Cup was not to be the last. Varane also played with a concussion in the 2020 Champions League round of 16 against Manchester City. "I felt it during the warm-up and told myself: 'Wake up! I almost wanted to slap myself in the face," said the former Real Madrid professional. "During the game, my first three balls were technically clean, but I was too slow. I couldn't concentrate, I was like a spectator." This game also ended in defeat for Varane, and Real had to bow out of the top flight after a 2-1 defeat. 

Varane also played against Manchester City with a concussion.(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Oli SCARFF)

The defender has since signed for Manchester United, where he is now paying more attention to his head. "We were advised not to do more than ten headers per training session. My 7-year-old son plays soccer - I advise him not to do headers."