Footballers have been openly critical of the fixture schedule in recent months as club competitions and international tournaments are renewed and expanded in size.
With UEFA changing the formats of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, as well as FIFA expanding its World Cup and Club World Cup, players have begun to voice their concerns on what they believe is an unsustainable increase in teams.
Some of the game’s biggest stars have spoken out about the hectic schedule and been cruelly brought down by injuries of varying significance soon after. While Rodri’s importance to Manchester City was widely reported after suffering a season-ending ACL injury, he is not the only footballer recovering on the sidelines after being talked about the increase in demand.
Here are some of the unfortunate stars who have needed time on the treatment table lately.
Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri appeared to become an unofficial spokesman for the footballers when he pointed to the increased workload in September.
The Euro 2024 winner revealed the players are getting tired and admitted there had even been talk of possible impact.
he said: “Yes, I think we are close to (a strike). If it continues like this we will have no other option. It is something that worries us.
“Between 40 and 50 is the number of games in which a player can perform at the highest level. After that you go down because it is impossible to maintain the physical level. This year we may go up to 70 or maybe up to 80. In my humble opinion, I think it’s too much.”
Then Rodri was proved right in a horrible way collapsed during City’s meeting with Premier League title rivals Arsenal. He is not expected to play again this season.
Tottenham Hotspur Captain Son Heung-min has also spent time on the sidelines recently, although his strike is far less catastrophic than Rodri’s.
The South Korean admitted last month that he does not feel the players are being looked after, with some of the top internationals at risk of featuring in around 85 games this season.
Speaking at a fan forum, Son said: “We can’t control it. We don’t think we’re being looked after when someone goes to the Euros, they only have two weeks off and then we go back to pre-season to start the season. That’s tough
“We definitely have to make some changes, yes. What we want to see are quality games, not as many as possible. If there are as many as now, the players (are) going to get injured, they won’t have the same performance. well and I think that’s not is what we want to see.
“We definitely need to change something and the players need to step up and say something.”
The rebuke of the wounded gods was swift again. The son came out with a complaint in the 3-0 Europa League win at Qarabag and has not been seen since, although a return is believed to be close.
Another top Premier League star, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has had his fair share of injuries in recent years. he suffered another setback before the international breakwith the Brazilian not expected to return to full fitness until November.
Once again, the injury came shortly after the shooter had highlighted the increased demand, aimed specifically at the renewed Champions League which now features eight ‘league stage’ matches instead of six group stage matches.
He revealed: “Sometimes no one asks the players what they think about adding more games, so maybe our opinion doesn’t matter. But everyone knows what we think about having more games. Everyone is tired of it.
“We’re not stupid, we understand that people want more games, but the most sensible thing would be for all the people I mentioned – the people who make the schedule – to sit down together and listen to all the parts of the players included.
“I want to give my best in every game I play, but we need a solution. It doesn’t seem like we are close to a good solution for football and for the players.”
Champions League and Euro 2024 winner Dani Carvajal could have been at risk of playing a dangerous number of games given that he plays for Real Madrid and Spain, two dominant teams in club and international football.
However, the right back is another star who has suffered an ACL injurywith the 32-year-old’s late arrival in a La Liga clash with Villarreal. He had also just supported Rodri.
“I think if you ask any footballer, he will tell you the same thing. It’s not just Rodri’s opinion,” he explained. Real Madrid said the star.
“I think it’s the players’ opinion and if this continues, there will come a time when there’s no other option. I don’t know what will happen, but it’s something we’re concerned about because we’re the ones who will suffer.”
Carvajal’s contract was due to expire in the summer, but Madrid have done things with class and extend it until 2026.
Jurrien Timber suffered an ACL injury on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season but thankfully has more games under his belt at the start of the current campaign. The Netherlands international admitted he is happy to be playing after returning to matchday contention, but conceded his team-mates have a point.
He recently said: “It’s a big topic in the dressing rooms at the moment, not just at City and Liverpool but in our dressing room.
“I didn’t play last season so I’m enjoying playing right now, you won’t hear me complain but I totally understand what they’re saying.”
Asked if players are more at risk of losing form because of the schedule, the Dutchman added: “Definitely. To be honest, I think it’s a dangerous thing. We played City last week and I think they to play again two days later, that’s too much.”
Timber currently has a muscle problem that is forcing him to miss Arsenal win 3-1 against Southampton before the international break, but is not expected to be ruled out for too long.
