A potential players’ strike looms in the soccer world as top footballers express frustration on overloaded football schedule.
Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde are among those warning of a strike due to the saturated schedule.
The over crowded European football fixtures include League matches, qualifying matches, Nations League and the just expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Meanwhile, top players who compete in European and Domestic Leagues face up to 75 matches across club and international duties per season.
In addition, the average footballer juggles around 60 fixtures annually which in turn make them prone to injury and fatigue.
What Rodri said on Overloaded football schedule
Rodri, who is a crucial member in Guardiola’s midfield option, admitted that players may soon have no choice but to take matters into their own hands by embarking on strike actions.
It is expected that Rodri, an elite player, could potentially play up to 85 games this season if Pep Guardiola opts against rotating the squad.
The 28-year-old Manchester City star, Rodri voiced his frustration saying: “The expansion of tournaments like the Nations League, Club World Cup, and Champions League has taken a toll on players.”
Since joining Manchester City in 2019, Rodri has typically played over 50 matches per season.
The star midfielder believes that surpassing the 50-game mark can negatively impact a player’s physical condition and performance.
Rodri added: “I can’t give you an exact number, but based on my experience, I believe playing 60-70 games per season is not ideal.”
“I think between 40 and 50 games is the optimal number for maintaining top performance. Anything beyond that can lead to a decline in physical capabilities.”
“This season, we might reach 70 or even 80 games, depending on our success in competitions. In my opinion, this workload is excessive.”
Barcelona star Kounde and Real Madrid Dani Carvajal Slam Overloaded football schedule
In the same vein, Barcelona Kounde expressed his displeasure over the fatigued match schedule, saying: “Every year we have more games, less rest. We’ve been saying this for years, but nobody cares.”
Also, Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal proposed that players should consider going on strike as a possible solution to the issue of overcrowded football schedules.
Carvajal said: “Going on strike is a possibility. Players are not taken into account! We have to raise our voice.”
Support from High-Profile Figures
High-profile figures like Pep Guardiola, Thibaut Courtois, and Bernardo Silva have also voiced dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, David Aganzo, president of the Spanish footballers’ union (AFE), showed support against congested fixtures while also criticizing wage reduction proposals in response to fewer games.
Instead, he advocates for improving competition structures to prioritize player health.
The sport’s governing bodies must address concerns to maintain the game’s integrity and player well-being.
What’s next?
As football faces these challenges, finding a balance between commercial interests and player welfare is crucial.
The constant influx of matches is taking a toll on players and governing bodies must address these concerns to maintain the game’s integrity and ensure players’ well-being.
With top players voicing out their displeasure, do you think the threat of a strike will prompt a change, or the soccer world continue down a path that prioritizes profits over players’ safety?
What do you think is the way forward? Please, share your thoughts with us in the comments section below:
