Manchester City star Erling Haaland has voiced his concerns about the demanding schedules faced by top footballers.
Speaking during City's preseason tour in New York, the Norwegian striker highlighted the challenges players face with the increasing number of games each season.
Professional leagues in Europe are engaged in a dispute with FIFA over the expansion of the match calendar and the risks to player welfare that comes with playing too many games at club and international level.
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Haaland's warning: Players are 'worn out'
Haaland, who enjoyed a summer break as Norway did not qualify for Euro 2024, shared his observations from recent tournaments, noting the visible fatigue among players. He remarked:
"We all saw in the Euros how tired people were. You could see it in their faces; they were worn out from football."
The striker expressed concerns that players might not be able to maintain peak performance levels if they are constantly on the pitch, playing up to 70 games a year.
Reflecting on the demanding schedule, Haaland added:
"We can try, but it's difficult to be sharp if you play over 70 games a year."
His comments come at a time when discussions about player welfare and the crowded football calendar are gaining traction, with FIFPro and the major European leagues vowing to launch legal action against FIFA over an international match calendar that it says is "beyond saturation".
Manchester City, despite their domestic success with a fourth consecutive Premier League title, fell short in the Champions League and FA Cup last season. Their midfield star Rodri has previously spoken at feeling exhausted by the demands of competing in so many competitions.
Haaland acknowledged the narrow margins that define success at the highest level, especially in Europe's premier competition. While reflecting on their quarterfinal exit against Real Madrid, he said:
"City has been so close in the Champions League. If my crossbar header had gone in, it might have been a different story."
Haaland's insights point to a broader issue in football: the balancing act between maximizing commercial opportunities and safeguarding player health.