Rodri says stars are ready to go on strike over burnout fears after Alisson rant (original) (raw)
Rodri maintains that players will go on strike if they keep being asked to play more games with the Manchester City preparing for the expanded Champions League
Rodri is ready to strike as demands continue to increase on players
Rodri has warned players will be ready to go on strike if nothing is done to ease the fixture burden on them.
The Manchester City midfielder said football chiefs must scale back the demands on players – or risk them taking matters into their own hands. This season, the revamped Champions League could see players made to play an additional four games compared to the old format.
With the revamped Club World Cup to be played at the end of this season, players could end up playing up to 70 games by the end of the campaign. Rodri, who played 64 games for club and country last season, was forced off at half-time through injury in Spain's Euro 2024 final win over England.
And the 28-year-old warned players are ready to down tools to protect their physical and mental health, if football's authorities refuse to listen to them.
Asked about players potentially going on strike, Rodri said: "I think we're close to that. 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.”
Rodri was asked how many games players can feasibly play in a season, before their levels drop with the physical and mental toll on them.
"From my experience, I can tell you that 60 or 70 games – no,” said Rodri. “Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform at the highest level. After that you drop because it's impossible to sustain the physical level.
"This year we're maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it's too much. "Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let's say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.
"Not everything is about money or marketing. It's about the quality of show. In my opinion, when I'm not tired, I perform better. If people want to see better football, then we need to rest."
Players at the top clubs continue to see their workloads increase (
Image:
Getty Images)
It comes after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson voiced similar concerns ahead of the Reds' Champions League clash against AC Milan.
He said: “Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games so maybe our opinion does not matter. But everybody knows what we think. Everybody is tired of it.
“We are not stupid and understand that. We understand that people want more games. For the supporters, it is amazing. More games, more bigger games, big teams against each other.
“But this is not only a question I should answer. It is a matter to sit down all together and listen to all the parts because we understand we have the media and TV, the side of UEFA and FIFA, Premier League, domestic competitions.
“The reasonable thing would be, all the people I mentioned – those who make the calendar, organising the calendar – to sit together and listen to all the parts inclusive of the players. I think so many players have spoken already about that. We just need to be listened to.
“That’s what we would like to do, to sit together and understand what is the thinking of the directions that football wants to go.
“Not only adding games, adding competitions, adding this and that. What we want is to give our best for the football, if you are tired you cannot compete at a high level.
Alisson has hit out at football chiefs over the congested calendar (
Image:
Getty Images)
“I want to give my best in all the games I play but we need a solution. It does not look like we are close to a good solution for football sake and players’ sake.”
A PFA spokesperson has since added:A PFA spokesperson said:
“In recent weeks our members have made their feelings very clear when it comes to the fixture calendar and player workload.
“Players and their unions have asked to be listened to and to be a central part of these processes. When they are ignored then the natural consequence is that players will begin to consider all options available to them.
“Players are repeatedly saying that enough is enough, and this must now act as a serious wake up call to the authorities.”
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