The debate over football’s congested calendar has intensified after the global players’ union, Fifpro, released its latest report warning of a growing crisis in player welfare. The union described the current state of the game as “a perfect storm of how not to treat a human,” highlighting excessive travel, a lack of recovery time, and unprecedented demands on young footballers.
The Report’s Findings
Fifpro’s fifth annual report, published this week, studied the 2024-25 season and revealed alarming numbers. Veteran midfielder Luka Modric, now 40, played more matches than any other player worldwide—76 games for Real Madrid and Croatia. Meanwhile, Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan covered more than 100,000 miles in international and club travel, spending over 217 hours in the air.
The report also drew attention to the dramatic rise in appearances among young talents. Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has already played 130 senior matches by the age of 18, a workload far heavier than legends like Andrés Iniesta at the same age.
Fifpro argues that such figures underline a dangerous imbalance. “Players until the age of 24 and 25 are still growing and maturing. To expose them to excessive load is to expose them to a greater injury risk,” said performance consultant Darren Burgess.
The Club World Cup Factor
One of the most contentious issues raised is the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, staged in June and July. The competition added significant strain on top players’ schedules, reducing their off-season and pre-season breaks.
Chelsea, who won the tournament, had just 20 days off and 13 days of pre-season before resuming competitive action. Paris Saint-Germain, the beaten finalists, had 22 days off but only seven days of structured preparation. By comparison, other global sports like the NBA and MLB guarantee athletes between 14 and 23 weeks of off-season recovery.
“This shows how far football still has to go compared to other sports,” Burgess stressed. “In other leagues, player performance and well-being are prioritized. Football must follow suit.”
Rising Injuries and Risks
The Fifpro report linked fixture congestion to rising injury cases among elite players. Uruguay’s Federico Valverde was identified as having the highest number of “back-to-back” matches—58 appearances within five days of a previous match. Similarly, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae endured 20 matches in 73 days, eventually suffering an Achilles injury.
Even Ballon d’Or winners have not been spared. Rodri, the 2024 recipient, missed nearly a full season due to injury, while current holder Ousmane Dembélé is sidelined with a muscle problem. “How long will this keep happening until even club owners realise it’s bad for business?” asked Fifpro secretary general Alex Phillips.
Travel Toll on Players
International travel has become another flashpoint. Cameroon’s André Onana made 33 separate cross-border trips last season, crossing 69 time zones in the process. Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo, in just two weeks, played 360 minutes across three countries while flying half the length of the equator.
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood warned about the long-term risks. “One or two seasons of 60 games is one thing. But when you’re heading into year three, four, or five, that’s when problems arise,” he said.
Calls for Reform
Fifpro recommends a minimum of 28 days off-season and 28 days of pre-season for players, a standard not met by any team in last year’s Club World Cup. The union insists the football industry must rethink its priorities.
“We need urgent action,” said Fifpro director Alexander Bielefeld. “When we began this campaign five years ago, people dismissed it. Now nobody denies the issue exists. The question is whether stakeholders will make the necessary changes.”
The Bigger Picture
For managers like Ange Postecoglou, the situation is not just about injuries but also about diminishing fan engagement. “We used to look forward to games. But now, with constant football, people sometimes just choose to go to the beach instead,” he remarked.
As the calendar continues to expand with new competitions, Fifpro’s warning is stark: without reform, football risks burning out its greatest assets—the players themselves.
