In recent days, Rodri Hernández's statements about the workload of matches and the possible strike of footballers have echoed a lot. Players such as Jules Koundé of FC Barcelona agreed on them and, at Esto Es Atleti, we've been able to find out about them.
A delegation from FIFPro attended the World Football Summit and we were able to ask them about the situation. What we were able to learn first-hand is that a proposal is already being drafted between FIFPro (the footballers' union) and the national leagues to file a complaint against FIFA. And why is FIFA being sued and not UEFA? And above all, why are they being sued?
FIFA is Now Under the Spotlight
FIFPro tells us that the complaint against FIFA is being filed because it's the highest international soccer authority and the one in charge of regulating everything. Suing UEFA in this sense would not make much sense and they could have more arguments to counter them.
The main reason for the complaint is the number of matches and the damage they cause to footballers' health. The report "Player Performance Recovery and Health" indicates that the lack of regulation in this regard will cause an excessive number of injuries. Last year, 54% of professional players worldwide played more than 40 matches a year, which represents a high and excessive workload.
Julian Alvarez was the Most Affected One
According to this FIFPro report, in the 2023/24 season, the Argentine striker has been the one who has played the most games and has been summoned the most. Because it is important to know that, if there are peroids during which the player is not playing and is suddnely summoned, this also represents a great strain on the sportsman.
The Spider was drafted for 83 matches, that is, he was drafted for one match every 4 matches. If we look at the matches in which he's played, the figure equals to 73 matches, that is, he played at least one minute in a match every 5 days.
This FIFPro report concludes that a player should play a maximum of 55 matches, which is already considered a high number. In this sense, neither clubs, nor players, nor federations are willing to limit the number of matches because nobody wants to stop earning money. Therefore, it doesn't seem that the solution is easy, in any case.
Possible Reason for the Drop in Performance
In the history of Argentina, there has never been a player of Julián Álvarez's age, 24, who's played so many matches. Second in this ranking is Leo Messi with 68 matches and the podium is completed by Carlos Tévez with 54 matches. It is important to mention that this figure includes both national and international matches.
This is not certain, but it could be the reason why he isn't performing as well in terms of goals or assists at the start of the season. Even so, Simeone trusts him, since he's a footballer who never rests. The red-white coaching staff is aware of this and that's why they've been meaning to regulate the minutes he plays so as not to overload him.