Raphael Varane has revealed he withdrew from a Manchester United match this season due to concussion symptoms, as he spoke of the “damage” he has done to his body.

The 30-year-old urges his son not to head to the ball when he plays football, warning of the “potentially fatal effect” that repeated concussions can have across a career.

Reflecting on missing a match for his club, Varane explained he felt “abnormally tired”, but only began to understand the impact on micro-concussions after a visit from an expert.

"The first time I heard about [micro-concussions] was this season when specialists came in to talk to us about it. Often, as a player, we don't understand and we don't even think about doing a test," Varane told ‘LEquipe.

"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.

"I reported it to the staff, who strongly recommended that I don't play, and I took a test, which meant that I missed the next match."

Varane retired from international football last year, having won the World Cup with France in 2018, and the centre-back has now opened up on the struggles he had on the biggest stage after taking a blow to the head.

He suffered from concussions symptoms ahead of France’s 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany in 2014, after an incident in the previous match, but still featured despite knowing he was not at his best.

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

"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."

A study commissioned by the Football Association has found evidence that suggests the repetitive heading of balls during a football career is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment in later life.

Trials at Under-12 level have removed deliberate heading, while permanent concussion substitutions are expected to be introduced into the laws of football.

"My seven-year-old son plays football and I advise him not to head the ball. For me, that's essential," Varane said.

"Even if it doesn't cause any immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks can have harmful effects.

"Personally, I don't know if I'll live to be 100, but I do know that I've damaged my body. The dangers of headers need to be taught on all amateur football pitches and to young people."

He added: "No matter how much the player says he wants to play, the medical staff have to veto it, because it puts players' lives at risk.

"We also have to make the player understand that it's not showing his strength to continue playing after a serious injury, but that the real strength lies in getting out, stopping playing and resting.