“We’re close to that” – Manchester City star says players will go on strike for an increasing number of games
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has expressed serious concern over the increase in games, warning that players may be forced to go on strike soon if the overcrowded schedule continues to escalate out of control.
The increase in the number of matches in domestic and international competitions has sparked debate among footballers, managers, and pundits alike.
A growing concern with the increasing number of games
With the introduction of new formats for major competitions such as the Champions League and the expanded Club World Cup, many in the game are raising warnings about the physical and mental stress this places on players.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was one of the first to highlight this issue when he was at Liverpool.
Although his concerns were initially met with jeers from rival fans, Klopp remained steadfast in his view that player welfare should be a priority. Now, other players and managers are following suit, adding their voices to the conversation.
Rodri: “We are close to that”
Rodri, who is a key player for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, recently spoke about the heavy burden the players are carrying as the number of games keeps increasing.
While these extended tournaments and new formats may please the fans, the Spanish proved unsustainable for the players, who are faced with increasing pressure and limited recovery time.
When asked if the players would go on strike, Rodri said (as quoted by BBC Sport):
“I think we are close to that. If it continues like this, it will be a time when we have no other option, but let’s see.”
The revised format of the Champions League, now with eight group stage matches instead of six, has been given special consideration. In addition, the expansion of the Club World Cup also adds to the already extensive list of matches.
While these changes may increase the commercial appeal and global excitement around football, they put a lot of pressure on the players.
Rodri is one of several footballers who have warned that the strain of continuous games without adequate rest is becoming too much to bear.
He is not the only one who is worried. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker also asked football managers to communicate more with players when making decisions that affect their careers.
As the game traffic continues to increase, clubs are finding it difficult to manage the fitness of their players.
As injuries increase and recovery time decreases, many teams are forced to rotate teams more often, often sacrificing quality and consistency in performance.
If football’s governing bodies fail to address the issue, a player strike could become a reality—a strong but increasingly popular response to the sport’s growing crisis.
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