Rodri has warned that footballers are ‘close’ to going on strike after Alisson Becker criticised the new Champions League format.
Uefa has added two more games to the ‘league phase’ of the competition, with clubs facing eight matches before the knockout stage. A new playoff round has also been added to the tournament.
Between the expansion of the Champions League and next summer’s Club World Cup, Manchester City could play up to 75 games this season. International could add another ten games on top of that for some players.
Speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Inter Milan, Rodri was asked if players would ever consider going on strike, if the number of games they are asked to play continues to increase.
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“Yes, I think we are close to that,” he confirmed. “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.”
The Spaniards comments come after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson said that players were not consulted about the changes to the Champions League that will see them play more games.
“Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games, so maybe our opinion doesn’t matter,” the Brazilian said. “But everyone knows what we think about having more games. Everybody is tired of that. But we have to stay focused on the big challenge that we have tomorrow.”
He added: “We are not stupid, we understand that people want more games. But the reasonable thing would be for all the people responsible for organising the calendar to sit together and listen to all the parts, including the players. We just need to be listened to, and understand the thinking behind the direction that football wants to go. Not only adding games, adding competitions, adding this, adding that.
“We need a solution, and it doesn’t look like we are close to a good solution for football’s sake and the players’ sake.”
Rodri has played 131 games for club and country over the past two years, including the Euro 2024 when he came off injured at halftime of Spain’s win over England.
Asked what the optimum number of games a footballer should be expected to play in a season, he responded: “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.”
