Football is on the brink of a potential crisis as the demands of the modern game push players to the edge. At the heart of this growing tension is Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, whose public comments about a potential footballers' strike, combined with his recent injury struggles, have brought renewed attention to the issue of player workload. As top athletes face an increasingly congested football calendar due to expanded UEFA and FIFA competitions, the Rodri Affair shines a critical light on how the physical and mental well-being of players is being compromised. If a strike materialises, it could signal a transformative moment in football’s future.

Rodri’s concerns about fixture congestion

Rodri’s warnings about a potential players’ strike stem from the extreme demands being placed on footballers at the elite level. Speaking before Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League match in September 2024, Rodri highlighted the unsustainable nature of the modern football schedule, stating that players are nearing their breaking point. "I think we are close to [striking]. If it keeps this way, we will have no other option," he told the press, echoing concerns felt across Europe.

At the core of Rodri’s frustration is the rapidly expanding nature of international competitions. The UEFA Champions League has introduced a new format that adds more group-stage matches, and FIFA has expanded the Club World Cup to feature 32 teams, set to be played in the summer of 2025. For players like Rodri, this means competing in nearly year-round football, with little time for rest and recovery. In the 2023-2024 season, Rodri played 63 matches for club and country, and he believes the ideal number of games for a player to maintain peak performance is between 40 and 50 per season.

Injury woes: a stark reminder of the physical toll

Rodri’s injury early in the 2024-2025 season highlighted the very dangers he has been warning about. Suffering from a hamstring injury, Rodri was forced to miss crucial matches for both Manchester City and the Spanish national team, leaving a significant void in the midfield. This injury, which sidelined one of City’s most important players, served as a stark reminder of how the congested fixture list is pushing players to their physical limits.

Hamstring injuries are often caused by fatigue and overuse, both of which are exacerbated by the lack of recovery time between matches. For Rodri, his absence due to injury brought home the need for governing bodies like UEFA and FIFA to reconsider their scheduling decisions. While commercial interests and global expansion remain central to football’s growth, players are increasingly paying the price with their health.

A broader discontent among footballers

Rodri is not alone in his criticism. Players from across Europe have been vocal about the dangers of fixture congestion. Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, expressed similar frustrations, pointing out that players are rarely consulted about decisions that directly affect their well-being. “Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” Alisson remarked, underscoring how disconnected governing bodies can be from the experiences of those on the pitch.

The frustrations voiced by players like Rodri and Alisson have prompted FIFPRO, the global players' union, to take formal action. In July 2024, FIFPRO, alongside European football leagues, filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of violating competition law by unilaterally expanding the international match calendar without consulting players or clubs. This legal move reflects the broader discontent within the football community, as players and their unions seek to protect athletes from the escalating pressures of the modern game.

The managers' perspective: calls for reform

Players aren’t the only ones voicing concerns. Managers of top clubs, who bear the responsibility of managing squad rotations and dealing with player fatigue, have also spoken out against the increasing demands. Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, called for a reduction in the number of matches, warning that the relentless schedule diminishes both the physical health of players and the overall quality of the sport. “The problem is a calendar that’s too demanding,” Ancelotti noted, suggesting that the expanded Champions League format adds unnecessary strain to an already overloaded fixture list.

Pep Guardiola, Rodri’s manager at Manchester City, has also been a vocal critic of fixture congestion, particularly in light of Rodri’s injury. Guardiola has frequently called for a more balanced schedule that allows players sufficient time for rest and recovery. For top teams competing across multiple competitions—domestic leagues, cup tournaments, and international competitions—the burden on players is immense.

The strike threat: a watershed moment for football?

The threat of a players’ strike is no longer a distant possibility; it is becoming a reality that governing bodies may soon have to contend with. If players, led by figures like Rodri, Alisson, and their unions, decide to walk off the pitch, it could force UEFA and FIFA to rethink their strategies for expanding competitions. Rodri’s injury has only added urgency to these discussions, highlighting the fragility of top-level footballers who are increasingly being treated as commodities rather than athletes with limits.

FIFPRO’s formal complaint to the European Commission may be the first step in what could become a broader movement to reclaim control over the football calendar. For many players, it is not just about reducing the number of games; it is about ensuring the future of the sport they love, preserving its quality, and protecting their health.

The road ahead for football

The Rodri Affair marks a pivotal moment in football’s history, as the balance between commercial interests and player welfare comes under intense scrutiny. While the expansion of UEFA and FIFA tournaments has brought in greater revenue and increased global reach, it has come at a significant cost to the players who make the game possible. As Rodri recovers from his injury and prepares to return to the field, the threat of a footballers’ strike looms larger than ever.

For football to move forward, governing bodies must listen to the players’ concerns and take meaningful action to address fixture congestion. Whether through reducing the number of matches or creating longer off-seasons, change is necessary. If not, the beautiful game may be interrupted by a strike that could reshape its future—one where players finally take a stand against the relentless demands placed upon them.