Manchester City midfielder Rodri has warned leading footballers could go on strike if clubs continue to face an ever-expanding schedule.
City, the 2023 Champions League winners, face Italian giants Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, in their first match of the competition’s new league phase.
The expanded 36-team tournament, in which all clubs play eight league fixtures, is a far cry from the original European Cup which only featured reigning national champions.
“I think we’re close to that (striking),” Rodri told reporters. “It’s the general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, we’ll have no other option. I really think it’s something that worries us. We are the guys who suffer.”
The optimal number of games “in which a player can perform at the highest level,” the Spaniard said, is between 40 and 50.
“After that, you drop because it’s impossible to sustain the physical level,” he added. “This year, we’re going to go until 70, maybe 80 (games), depends on how far you go into competitions.
“I think it’s too much. We have to take care of ourselves, because we are the main characters of this sport or business. Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show. When I rest, when I’m not tired, I perform better. And if people want to see better football, we need to rest.”
Last season, the 28-year-old’s campaign extended through to Spain’s European Championship victory on July 14, along with City teammates Kyle Walker and Phil Foden, who finished runners-up with England at the tournament in Germany.
City defender Manuel Akanji half-joked recently that he may have to retire at 30 because of the gruelling schedule.
“It’s so tough,” the Swiss player said. “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. So when do we have holidays?”
Manchester City will also take part in the new 32-team Club World Cup in the United States, meanwhile, ends on July 13, about a month before the next Premier League campaign kicks off, which will then lead into the 2026 World Cup.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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