Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed the possibility of elite players going on strike, amid growing concerns that footballers are being overworked due to the increasingly packed schedule.
Guardiola’s comments come in the wake of midfielder Rodri’s recent call for action, as top players across Europe, including 36 teams in the Champions League, face an even busier calendar this season. UEFA’s expanded European competitions have led to more fixtures, and the newly-extended Club World Cup, set to take place in the U.S. next summer, is further intensifying the workload.
Many players, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, have voiced their agreement with Rodri. Guardiola, who has long criticized football’s governing bodies for the excessive number of games, expressed his support for the players’ concerns.
“I agree that the players are speaking up,” Guardiola said. “If anything is going to change, it must come from them. The game can continue without managers, sporting directors, media, and even owners, but without players, it can’t exist. They hold the power to make a difference.”
Rodri, speaking before City’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan, claimed that players are nearing the point of striking. “I think if you ask any player, they’d say the same. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s how most of us feel,” he explained. “If things continue this way, I truly believe there will come a time when we have no other choice.”
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When asked how many matches elite footballers should ideally play, Rodri said, “I don’t have an exact number, but from my experience, 60-70 games a season is too much. Between 40 and 50 matches is where a player can perform at their best. Beyond that, your performance drops because it’s physically unsustainable.”
“This year, we could be playing up to 70 or even 80 games, depending on how far we go in the competitions. In my opinion, that’s too much. Someone needs to take care of the players because we are the ones who suffer,” Rodri emphasized.
He added, “It’s not just about money or marketing—it’s also about the quality of the game. When I’m not exhausted, I perform better, and if fans want to see better football, we need to rest.”
