Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also backed Rodri on his idea of going strike over the growing list of football games.
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Courtois supports Rodri on players going strike
Courtois, 32, also voiced his support for the Manchester City midfielder, as players began to express their concerns over the jampacked football calendar.
Read more:
- Rodri thinks players could go on strike over loaded calendar
- De Bruyne on calendar: FIFA values money more than players
- Manuel Akanji on loaded football calendar – “I’ll retire at 30”
- Liverpool’s Alisson Becker voices concern about loaded calendar
- Barcelona’s Kounde backs Rodri on going strike
To recall, Rodri said that the hectic schedule could lead to players going on strike.
Speaking after Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Stuttgart in their Champions League opener, Courtois said there should be a balance in scheduling 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.”
“No other option”
Global players’ union FIFPro recently teamed up with several players’ unions in Europe — including the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) — to launch two legal challenges against FIFA’s decision to stage the competition next summer.
The expanded Champions League includes an eight-game league phase and a potential two-legged play-off before reaching the last 16.
Madrid and City are competing in the revamped Champions League this season.
Both clubs will also feature in FIFA’s new Club World Cup in the United States next summer.
Overall, both teams could play a total of over 70 games this campaign.
“I think it’s the general opinion of the players… If it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option,” Courtois said.