Footballers across Europe have voiced their concerns over the escalating demands of the modern football calendar, which has seen significant expansions in club and international competitions. This outcry comes amidst UEFA’s adjustments to the formats of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, alongside FIFA’s expansions of the World Cup and Club World Cup.
One of the prominent voices in this debate is Rodri, the midfielder for Manchester City and Spain. Rodri became a vocal critic in September, highlighting the strain on players due to the increased number of matches. He expressed frustration over the potential for a strike among players if the current trend continues unchecked.
Rodri pointed out, “Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform at the highest level. After that you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level. This year we are maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much.” His concerns were tragically validated when he suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury during a match against Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min echoed Rodri’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for better player welfare amidst the relentless fixture schedule. Son, who has also faced injury setbacks recently, criticized the lack of sufficient rest periods for players involved in both club and international competitions.
“We can’t control it. We feel we are not being looked after when someone goes to the Euros, [has] only two weeks holiday and then back into pre-season to start the season. This is tough,” Son remarked during a fan forum. He emphasized the necessity for quality over quantity when it comes to matches, stressing that the current workload increases injury risks and affects player performance negatively.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson added his voice to the chorus of criticism, pointing out the physical toll of the revamped Champions League format and the overall increase in match frequency. Alisson, who has experienced multiple injuries in recent seasons, emphasized the need for stakeholders to consider player opinions when making decisions about the football calendar.
Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and Netherlands international Jurrien Timber also voiced their concerns about the growing fixture list and its impact on player health. Carvajal, who recently suffered an ACL injury, echoed Rodri’s sentiments about the unsustainable workload facing footballers today.
The growing chorus of criticism from top footballers reflects a deep-seated concern about the sustainability of the current football calendar. As injuries mount and players face increasingly packed schedules, the debate over balancing commercial interests with player welfare is likely to intensify. Finding a solution that addresses these concerns while maintaining the excitement and competitiveness of football remains a pressing challenge for the sport’s governing bodies.
