“We are close to that” – Manchester City star says players are close to going on a strike over growing number of fixtures

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has raised serious concerns about the growing number of fixtures, warning that players may soon be forced to go on strike if the congested schedule continues to escalate unchecked.

The rise in the number of matches across domestic and international competitions has sparked debate among footballers, managers, and pundits alike.

Mounting concerns over increasing number of fixtures

With new formats being introduced in major tournaments such as the Champions League and the expanded Club World Cup, many within the sport are raising alarms about the physical and mental strain this places on players.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was one of the first to highlight this issue during his time at Liverpool.

While his concerns were initially met with derision from rival fans, Klopp remained steadfast in his view that player well-being should be a top priority. Now, other players and managers are following suit, adding their voices to the conversation.

Rodri: “We are close to that”

Rodri, a key figure for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, recently spoke out about the unsustainable burden that players are shouldering as the number of games continues to rise.

While these expanded tournaments and new formats might thrill fans, the Spaniard pointed out that they are unsustainable for the players, who face increasing pressure and limited recovery time.

When asked if the players will go on a strike, Rodri said (as quoted by BBC Sport):

“I think we are close to that. If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see.”