September 17, (THEWILL) – Manchester City midfielder, Rodri, has warned that players may consider strike action due to the increasing number of games they are required to play. The 28-year-old Spaniard expressed concern about the expanded UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup formats, along with enlarged national team competitions, which have significantly increased the workload for top teams and players.
Rodri stated that players are nearing their breaking point, saying: “We are close to that (striking). It is the general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, we will have no other option.” He emphasised that the optimal number of games for a player to perform at the highest level is between 40 and 50, but many are now facing up to 70 or 80 matches per season.
The midfielder highlighted the importance of rest and recovery, arguing that it is not just about money or marketing, but also about the quality of the sport. His Manchester City teammate Manuel Akanji echoed these sentiments, half-jokingly suggesting he might have to retire at 30 due to the gruelling schedule.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, addressed the issue ahead of their UCL opener against Inter Milan. He focused on the team’s approach to the new format, stating they would simply aim to win each game as it comes. Guardiola also praised striker Erling Haaland’s impressive start to the season, attributing it partly to the rest he had during the summer.
The demanding schedule shows no signs of easing, with the new 32-team Club World Cup in the United States set to conclude on July 13 next year, just weeks before the start of the next EPL season. This will be followed by the 2026 World Cup, further compressing the football calendar and potentially exacerbating player concerns about workload and recovery time.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
