For footballer Rúben Dias, there should be some kind of limit to the number of games during a season – according to a study by the FIFPro union, a great player can play up to 86 games this season, more than previous seasons this. “I think you really should [ser limitado]. We talk about performance and we have to make sure that players are safe”, he said on the main stage of the Web Summit, in the session that closed the 2024 edition of the summit.
However, he did not want to specify a number. “I’m just going to say, talking about the past, we have a standard - and now we’re much higher.” “If you ask me, at this point, I don’t think everyone cares about athletes. Everyone loves profits and, I understand, that’s what it is, it’s the world we live in”, said the Portuguese international in tears.
“Football is so special, everyone wants to watch it all the time — and we understand it’s a matter of love, but we’re all very demanding of ourselves, very professional and ambitious. And when we are given a task we want to do it and we want to overcome it”, he added in context. But, with more games per season and more competitions, now the task is “in another area, which cannot be followed, especially at this time.”
From the point of view of the Manchester City player, who is currently injured this season “It’s going to be the craziest one yet”. “We don’t really know what to expect for another tournament at the end of the season,” he said, referring to next summer’s Club World Cup.
Rúben Dias is expected to miss the last two rounds of the Nations League through injury
He reckoned that “it will be day to day”, but that the need for limits on the number of games and downtime will be a matter “that will be addressed”. “If people want to put on a good show and show their love for football, we have to worry about the players. The legs cannot continue without any kind of stop”, he says.
“I don’t even know if there will be time off this season and that’s the biggest concern,” he said. “If you give us some time off, to rest, build up and be ready to come back, we’ll give you the best show you’ve ever had. But otherwise it’s not one season, two seasons, it’s a whole season.”
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Rúben Dias admitted that players understand the industry, but, it is the athletes’ “bodies” that matter. “People need to understand that we need to relax”, implying that there must be a “serious answer” to the issue at some point.
Rúben Dias is not the only player to criticize the excess of games per season – an issue that has already prompted FiFPro, the international union representing footballers, and the European League to make a formal complaint to the European Commission against FIFA because of the overload on the calendar.
So far, he has revealed that “there are thousands of options in and outside of football”, but that he wants, in any of the plans, “to build something based on” in their values.
Rúben Dias took home another prize, which he received from Carlos Moedas, mayor of Lisbon, and from Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of Web Summit. The mayor explained that he wanted to reward the player, who was born in Lisbon, for his sporting performance and “grace under pressure”. “Reuben, you are not just a champion and an athlete, but you are a leader.” “You are someone I want to be by my side when I have a problem, because you have grace under pressure”, said Carlos Mo
To say goodbye to the Web Summit, this year without confetti, Cosgrave still had time to leave a tribute not to Rúben Dias, but to Carlos Moedas. “He’s been an incredible supporter of mine for over a decade and a visionary.”
The relationship with the Government of Montenegro is ”much better than I expected”, says Paddy Cosgrave who encourages Moedas to increase the Summit space.
What are the common signs of player fatigue in professional football?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Player Fatigue and Game Overload
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, and welcome to another edition of our exclusive interviews here at Time.news. Today, we’re diving into a pressing issue within the world of football: the growing concern over player fatigue and the excessive number of games being played during a season. Joining us is sports expert and coach, Dr. Sarah Thompson. Sarah, thank you for being with us!
Dr. Sarah Thompson (DST): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
TNE: Recently, Rúben Dias, a prominent player for Manchester City, spoke out about the overwhelming number of games players are expected to participate in. He suggested that there should be limits on the number of matches. What’s your take on this?
DST: Rúben Dias brings up a critical point. The physical demands placed on professional athletes today are unprecedented. With the introduction of more competitions, like the new Club World Cup, players can find themselves facing an astonishing number of 86 games in a season. That’s a recipe for fatigue and injuries.
TNE: That leads us to the bigger issue of player safety. What do you think could be done to ensure athletes are not overworked?
DST: First and foremost, there needs to be robust dialogue between governing bodies like FIFA, clubs, and player unions such as FIFPro. Implementing a cap on the number of matches per season could mitigate the risk of injury. Additionally, incorporating better recovery protocols and even considering more downtime during a season would be beneficial.
TNE: Dias mentioned that the “legs cannot continue without any kind of stop.” It seems he feels that players’ well-being is often overlooked in favor of profits. How true is this sentiment?
DST: Unfortunately, that’s a well-founded concern. The commercial nature of football—that intense focus on viewership and revenue—often overshadows the players’ health. While the game is indeed loved by fans, it’s vital to remember that these athletes are humans first. Without their well-being, the very essence of the sport suffers.
TNE: How do you think the football community can realistically push for these changes? It seems like a daunting task.
DST: It will require collective pressure. Players, like Dias, need to continue voicing their concerns publicly. Unions must unify to advocate for meaningful reforms. Additionally, fans can play a significant role. With enough public outcry regarding player health and safety, clubs and organizations may be pushed to prioritize these issues.
TNE: Looking ahead, with competitions like the new Club World Cup and an already packed schedule, what do you foresee for the future of professional football?
DST: The future will be challenging if we don’t act. If the current format persists, we could witness more injuries, burnout, and even a potential decline in the quality of play. We need to rethink how we structure seasons and tournaments. Striking a balance between revenue and player welfare is essential for the sport’s sustainability.
TNE: Rúben Dias pointed out that if appropriate downtime is given, players can deliver the best performances. Do you think this is something clubs can realistically implement?
DST: Absolutely, but it requires a paradigm shift. Clubs will need to see that investing in player health yields long-term benefits, both on the field and financially. By allowing players time to recover, they’re likely to perform better and stay injury-free, ultimately attracting more fans and revenue.
TNE: Thank you, Sarah. As we see more athletes like Rúben Dias advocating for change, it’s crucial that we all recognize the importance of their health and well-being within the sport. We appreciate your insights today!
DST: Thank you for having me! It’s a conversation we need to keep having to ensure the future of football remains bright and healthy.