Manchester City’s Rodri has slammed the number of games in the fixture schedule and says players are close to going on strike.
The Champions League returns this week, with City facing Inter Milan, but the competition’s new format means at least an extra two games have been added before the knockout stage.
City are also involved in the Club World Cup, which has expanded from seven to 32 teams and takes place next summer, and these additional fixtures are causing concern among the players.
Rodri said: “I think we are close to that [going on strike].
“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.
“If it keeps this way, it will be a moment where we have no other option, but 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.”
With the new Champions League and Club World Cup formats, City will play at least four extra matches compared to last season’s confirmed fixtures.
After winning Euro 2024 with Spain over summer, Rodri took some much needed time off, something he said was important for his mental and physical health.
He added: “It was great for my legs and great for me. It’s been great for me to stop a little bit and to prepare myself.
“Nowadays, it is even more important to do these kinds of things, rather than coming in early to do a pre-season. I think football is changing in that way.
“It helps me a lot to stop. I don’t watch much football. Of course, when [City] started pre-season I watched them but I tried to disconnect as much as possible. The mental health in that sense was important – to free your mind and move on.”
On the back of a year which saw him win the Premier League with his club and the Euros with his country, the Manchester City midfielder has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, something he described as a dream.
“It’s the consequences of working hard, the consistency and never giving up,” Rodri said.
“Individual awards are just a consequence of the work and I really feel right now as if people are really recognising my work and trying to push me to win [the Ballon d’Or].
“I’m very happy for everything that happened to me over the last year, winning what we have won [with City] and last summer at the Euros with my country, it’s just a dream.
“Yes, I know I play a different role than most players who are nominated for these trophies, but it also shows that football can be beautiful in different views. You can be beautiful playing as a midfielder, scoring goals or as a defender.
“We all know how football works, but I think there are lots of people who really appreciate the role of a midfielder, so let’s see what happens.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Carl Recine/Getty Images VIA ONE FOOTBALL
