By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
ANKARA (AA) — Big-name footballers like Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Rodri, and Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, along with renowned coaches Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa, are raising concern in September about the growing burden on elite-level players due to increasingly packed match schedules.
Rodri, who exceeded the recommended 55 matches per season by playing over 60 last year, warned that players are “close to going on strike” as they struggle to cope with the demands.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has backed these concerns, with CEO Maheta Molango criticizing the expanded FIFA Club World Cup format, which will span nearly a month and feature 32 teams.
Molango argued that this leaves players little time for rest amid what he described as a “cannibalized match calendar.”
- Health risks and workload
The expanding format of international football competitions has drawn increasing scrutiny, with experts pointing to its detrimental impact on player health.
A report by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO), published on Sept. 4, detailed the excessive workload demands on footballers. Titled “Excessive Workload Demands: Player Performance, Recovery, and Health,” the report highlighted the alarming rise in games played by elite athletes.
According to the study, 31% of 1,500 players exceeded the medically recommended limit of 55 matches in the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, nearly 13% of these athletes played more than six consecutive weeks of back-to-back matches, surpassing safety thresholds set by medical experts.
The report warned that the increasing intensity of play could push young stars like Real Madrid regular Jude Bellingham — who has already made 251 competitive appearances before turning 21 — toward an earlier retirement, a comparison made with former England captain David Beckham, who had played just 54 matches by the same age.
- FIFA’s role under fire
FIFPRO’s report also criticized FIFA for unilaterally setting the international match calendar and expanding competitions, including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which the organization claims is compromising player health. The report emphasized that, for the most in-demand players, the right to a guaranteed annual break has become “virtually non-existent.”
In response to these changes, FIFPRO member unions in England, France, and Italy filed a legal challenge against FIFA in June 2024, seeking to contest the federation’s decisions. PFA’s Molango echoed these concerns, stating that players had expressed “loud and clear” the need to take action. “The next step will be whatever the players want us to do,” he added.
- Voices from the field: Players and coaches speak out
Several high-profile football figures have openly criticized the relentless match schedules. Manchester City midfielder Rodri, one of the most vocal, said, “I think we are close to that (strike) … If it keeps (going) this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, but let's see. It’s something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer.”
Molango backed Rodri’s stance, noting the grueling schedule elite players face. “Rodri played in the EURO final on July 14 and within less than a month, he was asked to be back to play a Premier League game.”
He added: “This season he can possibly reach the Champions League final, which is on May 31, and within four days, he could go to the Nations League finals on June 4-10, and then, within four days, he is asked to be in the US to play in the Club World Cup, which will last until mid-July. So, how can you possibly do all this and not at some stage pick up an injury or drop your performance?”
Rodri’s teammate Manuel Akanji shared similar concerns, demanding, “When do we have holidays?”
“It’s so tough. You don't just think about this season, but also next season. Let’s say we win the league or cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup — the Community Shield is three weeks after.”
Real Madrid full-back Dani Carvajal, who is currently recovering from surgery, remarked, “It’s impossible to be at full capacity with 72-plus games … The quality of the game drops, and we suffer, along with our families
Bellingham also weighed in, highlighting the toll on players’ mind and body. “Mentally and physically, you are exhausted,” the English star said.
On the coaching side, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa have also voiced frustration with the demanding schedules. “We want to play football and enjoy it, but we have to reduce it. It’s too much,” Guardiola stated. “During 11 months it is games, games, games. Before, pre-season was four or five weeks. Now, we have 10 days.”
Bielsa from Argentina echoed these sentiments, warning of the risks players face as they have to play for longer.
“To ignore the consequence of the number of games and amount of travelling will end in injuries for any player,” he said.