MANCHESTER, England – Following Rodri’s warning about the possibility of strike action due to the intensified workload, the Manchester City midfielder is now facing an extended injury period. This unfortunate turn of events has reignited discussions regarding player welfare in light of an increasingly demanding schedule.
Notable former players and managers, including Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Pep Guardiola, and Erik ten Hag, have recently voiced their concerns about the situation. Henry expressed that players are losing their passion for the game, while Carragher criticized the treatment of players as if they were livestock.
Mark O’Sullivan, an associate professor of football at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, highlighted the diminishing power players have to address these issues. He stated that the integrity of the sport is being compromised as FIFA and UEFA prioritize consumer interests over player welfare.
Rodri, who sustained a knee ligament injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 Premier League match with Arsenal, had previously indicated that the ideal number of games for peak performance is approximately 40 to 50 per season. This year, however, players could potentially participate in up to 80 matches due to the expanded Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and larger national team competitions. The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13 next year.
Carragher remarked that there is little enthusiasm for the new tournament, asserting that elite players are being dehumanized. Last year, the global players’ union FIFPRO issued warnings about the workload impacting young talent, comparing the playing time of current stars like Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe to that of former legends.
Mbappe recently suffered a muscle injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming match against Atletico Madrid, while Bellingham has just returned after a month-long absence due to injury.
O’Sullivan expressed concern about the long-term implications for young players like 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who played 50 games last season and contributed to Spain’s Euro 2024 win. He emphasized the risks of overexertion during a crucial developmental stage for young athletes. O’Sullivan also pointed out the cautionary tales of young players like Pedri, Ansu Fati, and Pablo Gavi, who have experienced significant injuries.
Henry noted visible signs of player fatigue during Euro 2024 and expressed a desire to see top players, like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, at their best, lamenting Rodri’s unusual mistakes. He concluded that the mental toll of exhaustive schedules is as severe as the physical demands, fearing that many players are losing the joy of the sport.