These five footballers, who openly criticized the expanded football calendar, have now all been injured this season.
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These injured footballers previously criticized the loaded football calendar
UEFA recently changed the formats of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
FIFA has also expanded its tournaments, including the World Cup and Club World Cup.
As a result, some players have raised concerns over the increasing number of fixtures, noting that it may impact their overall health and performance.
In what appears to be a foreshadowing, these stars are now sidelined after criticizing the jam-packed schedule.
1. Rodri
Manchester City midfielder Rodri became the first player to suggest that the players are close to going on “strike” due to the increased workload.
“I think we are close to that, it is easy to understand. I think it’s something general,” Rodri said back in September. “If you ask any player he will say the same, it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever.”
“I think it’s the general opinion of the players. And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I really think but let’s see.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”
Rodri’s concerns proved valid when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee during City’s match against Arsenal, a season-ending injury.
2. Son Heung-min
Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min also became a casualty.
The South Korean international sustained a hamstring injury in Spurs’ match against Qarabag in the Europa League last month.
Son also criticized the increased football games, saying that players “are not robots.”
“We are not robots so I think we have to look after that, reduce the [number of] games definitely and playing a better quality of games should be the aim,” Son said.
Fortunately, Son’s return with Tottenham might happen soon.
3. Alisson Becker
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be out for six months after sustaining an hamstring injury.
The Brazil international has struggled with hamstring problems this season and missed 10 Premier League matches last term.
Alisson specifically criticized the expanded Champions League, which now includes an eight-game league phase and a potential two-legged play-off before reaching the last 16.
“So many players have spoken already about it, we just need to be listened to,” he said.
“If you are tired you cannot compete at a high level. What I want is to give my best in all the games I play.
“At the moment it doesn’t look like we are close to a solution for football’s sake and for the players’ sake.”
4. Thibaut Courtois
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been diagnosed with an abductor injury in his left leg.
Courtois sustained the injury during the derby against Atletico Madrid.
The Belgium international also backed Rodri on his idea of going strike over the increased volume of football games.
“Rodri is right,” Courtois said. “There are a lot of games. A fan wants to see the best, and we have to find a balance, there are too many games, and there are more injuries.”
“With the Nations League, the Club World Cup, games are added. People say we earn a lot of money, that we can’t complain, and that’s true. But we have to find a balance, because the best [players] aren’t always going to be able to play.”
5. Dani Carvajal
Champions League and Euro 2024 winner Dani Carvajal suffered a season-ending knee injury during Real Madrid’s LaLiga game over Villareal.
Aside from Courtois, the veteran defender also agreed with Rodri’s suggestion, stating that almost all footballers will likely go on strike sooner rather than later.
“I think if you ask any footballer, they will tell you the same thing. It is not just Rodri’s opinion,” the Real Madrid star said.
“I think it is the opinion of the players and, if this continues, there will come a time when there is no other option. I don’t know what will happen, but it is something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer it.”
