Raphael Varane has sparked discussions on concussion awareness and its impact on football, prompting a call for a change in the sport’s culture. In efforts to address the dangers of brain injury, players are advised to limit high-force headers to no more than ten per week during training. Additionally, experts, including Dr. Adam White and advocates like Dawn Astle and Rachel Walden, who have personal experiences with players affected by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), regularly engage with clubs to educate players on the risks and prevention of future problems. Former players such as David Ryan and Alex Fletcher, who have endured severe head injuries, also lend their voices to promote brain health awareness across all levels of the game.

The collective responsibility of players, management staff, and medical teams is emphasized to prioritize the long-term welfare and health of players. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has taken proactive measures to address brain health, including the delivery of educational programs to players at clubs nationwide, focusing on brain health, concussion protocols, and CTE-related risks. Collaboration with football stakeholders on enhancing player protections, such as temporary concussion substitutions and reduced heading frequency in training, is also underway. The PFA’s co-funding of the FIELD study has shed light on lifelong health issues for former professional footballers, revealing a higher rate of neurodegenerative disease-related deaths compared to the general population.

They have advocated for the introduction of temporary concussion substitutes, citing the current system’s inadequacy in safeguarding players’ well-being. Raphael Varane’s impactful interview highlighted his cautionary advice to his son about heading the ball while playing football, underscoring the importance of changing attitudes towards head injuries in the sport.