Rodri: Players Could Strike Due To Overload of Matches

Manchester City midfielder,  Rodri, has suggested players are “close” to going on strike because of concerns over their increasing workload.

The Spain midfielder participated in 63 matches for his club and country during the last season, which concluded with the Euro 2024 final on July 14.

He’s facing even more games this season, with City taking part in the expanded Champions League and the revamped Club World Cup, which begins in June.

Asked whether the hectic schedule could lead to players going on strike, Rodri said, “I think we are close to that, it is easy to understand. I think it’s something general. I think if you ask any player, he will say the same; it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever.

“I think it’s the general opinion of the players. And if it remains this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option, I think, but let’s see.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”

Top international players participating in the Champions League and Club World Cup could play as many as 85 matches this season. Since joining City in 2019, Rodri has averaged over 50 club games annually, but the 28-year-old believes that’s already excessive.

“I don’t have an exact number,” Rodri said. “From my experience, I can tell you that 60-70 [games a season]? No. Between 40 and 50 is the number 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 can go to 70, maybe 80, I don’t know. It depends on how far you go in the competitions. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much.”

Rodri has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or after helping City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title and leading Spain to victory at Euro 2024.

He has been rumored to be moving to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but he maintains that he is happy at the Etihad Stadium.

“There is nothing much to say, I have three more years at City,” he said. “When I signed the contract, I didn’t think about other teams. There’s nothing else I can say.”