Players ‘close’ to going on strike over fixture congestion, says Manchester City star Rodri

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says top-level footballers are close to going on strike due to the number of games they are being asked to play.

A new season of Champions League football begins tonight with a rejigged format meaning more games while City have already qualified for the inaugural Club World Cup which takes place next summer.

Assuming Pep Guardiola’s side reach the latter stages of the various domestic and continental cup competitions – as seems highly likely – City could play upwards of 70 games this season.

Yesterday, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson complained the schedule was overloaded and Rodri thinks radical action in form of a strike may have to be taken.

Speaking ahead of City’s Champions League game with Inter tomorrow night, the Spain international said: “Yes, I think we are close to that. It is easy to understand. In general, if you ask any player he will say the same.

“It is not like it is just the opinion of Rodri, or whoever. I think it is a general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, it will be a moment where we have no other option. Let’s see. I don’t know what is going to happen but it is something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”

’70 or 80 games is too much’

Asked what he feels is the optimum number of games a player should be expected to play in a season, he added: “From my experience I can tell you that 60 or 70 – no. 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 is impossible to sustain the physical level.

“This year we are maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it is 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 is about the quality of show. In my opinion, when I am not tired I perform better. If people want to see better football then we need to rest.”

The last time we played Inter… 🩵

Never gets old, does it? 🥹 pic.twitter.com/9WcgMG0dpt

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 17, 2024

Mental health is important – Rodri

Rodri, who scored the only goal as City claimed their first Champions League title by beating Inter in the 2023 final, said winning helps push thoughts of tiredness to the back of his mind, to an extent.

“Most of these situations you cover with mental strength – trying to be strong, trying to get the machine again rolling, by winning or performing well,” he said. 

“The start of the season was great for us because the earlier you get in to this run, the easier it is to continue into the season. The key is trying to be as fit as possible and trying to make the focus on the mental health – to be strong in this moment.”

Rodri enjoyed an extended break this summer

Rodri was also a key man as Spain won Euro 2024 this summer by beating England in the final, after which he took an extended break to rest his body and clear his mind.

“It was great for my legs and great for me,” he added. “I had one month off, and maybe a little bit extra for me to recover also. In general terms it was about two months. It’s been great for me to stop a little bit and to prepare myself.

“Nowadays, it is even more important to do these kinds of things, rather than coming in early to do a pre-season. I think football is changing in that way.

“It helps me a lot to stop. I don’t watch much football. Of course, when [City] started pre-season I watched them but I tried to disconnect as much as possible. The mental health in that sense was important – to free your mind and move on.”