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Soccer | Sep 17

Could European Soccer Players Start a Riot Over Such a Packed Schedule?

Manchester City’s Rodri Expressed His Concerns About the Insane Calendar for the 2024-25 Season

Could European Soccer Players Start a Riot Over Such a Packed Schedule?
Manchester City's Spanish midfielder #16 Rodri | Oli Scarff / Afp

Players Are Speaking Up 🗣️

This year, we are going [to play] 70, maybe 80 [games]… – Rodri

Soccer fans love the action—whether it’s the Premier League, Champions League, or even international tournaments like the Euros and Copa America, there’s never a shortage of matches to watch. But while we, the fans, enjoy endless games, the reality for the players is quite different.

Manchester City’s Rodri recently spoke up to soccer news about the strain this packed schedule puts on players, and his comments have ignited a conversation about player burnout and the need for change.

 

Too Many Games, Not Enough Rest

For those of us who live for soccer, the current setup is a dream come true. We can tune in almost every day to watch top-tier matches. Whether it’s a domestic league, international cup, or midweek clash in Europe, there’s always something going on. But what does that mean for the players?

According to Rodri, it’s not all glory and goals. The Spanish midfielder, who recently helped his national team win the Euro 2024, expressed deep concerns about the number of games players are expected to participate in.

This year, we are going [to play] 70, maybe 80 [games],” he said.

Think about that. Seventy to eighty games! If you add up all the Premier League, UCL schedule, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and international fixtures, it’s no wonder players are feeling the strain.

Players didn’t have many summer vacations with the Euros and Copa America. Many were back in domestic league action with less than two weeks of rest. The idea of keeping up that level of performance without adequate rest is daunting. “When I am rested and not tired, I perform better,” Rodri admitted. It makes sense, right? Players are human too, and no one can maintain peak performance without recovery.

 

The Champions League and Club World Cup Add More Pressure

It’s not just domestic leagues that are making players play a lot. The Champions League is getting bigger, so teams like Manchester City will have even more UCL games. FIFA is also starting a new Club World Cup with 32 teams.

Top players are already busy playing for their clubs and countries. They’re worried about having to play even more games. Rodri said that it’s not just about money; we need to think about the quality of the games. If players are tired, they won’t play well.

Fans want to see top players play, but what happens if they’re not feeling good? Injuries, fatigue, and bad performances are happening more often.

 

Is a Player Strike on the Horizon?

Rodri’s comments come at a time when soccer players across the world are beginning to push back against the demands placed on them. In fact, there have already been soccer rumors, and rumblings of a potential player strike if things don’t change.

Rodri hinted that a strike could be on the cards if organizations like FIFA and UEFA don’t address the concerns players are raising. “If the calendar remains this way, it will be a moment where we will have no other option,” he said.

The players’ union, FIFPRO, has even begun legal action against FIFA, claiming that the expansion of tournaments like the World Cup and Club World Cup unfairly increases players’ workload without proper consultation. The union’s stance is clear: something has to give, and it can’t be the players’ well-being.

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