Manchester City's midfielder, Rodri, has warned everyone that the players could be heading on a strike due to the number of games they are expected to play every season.
Rodri made this known during a pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City's UEFA Champions League clash against Inter Milan. According to him, the fixtures that every player has to go through every season are getting too much, and this could see the players embark on a strike action.
What did Rodri say about the players possible strike action?
Rodri has called on the bodies governing football at various levels to put into consideration the health of these players when they want to organise a competition. He said they should think of something other than money as he warned that players may have to boycott these matches by embarking on a strike action.
He said,
From my experience, I can tell you that 60-70 [games per season is right]? No. Between 40-50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform in the highest level. After that, you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level. This year we can go to 70, maybe 80, I don’t know. It depends on how far you go in the competitions. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much. I think we have to take care of ourselves. Someone has to take care of ourselves because we are the main characters of this sport or business or whatever you want to call it. Not everything is money or marketing. It is also the quality of the show. When I am not tired, I perform better, and if the people want to see a better football, we need to rest just something to put in there. When the amount of games starts getting bigger, the performance and quality are lower.Let'ss see where football goes. I would prefer to have less games and a better quality show for the people, that’s for sure.”
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He also added,
“I can only tell you about my club and national team, but it is something we are worried about. It’s about the time we have for a break.”
However, Manchester City could play up to 75 games this season with the expansion of the Champions League and the new Club World Cup next summer, while international football could take the possible maximum for someone to 85 matches.
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