Photo courtesy of marcelfootball.com

Strict regulations introduced by the European Football Association (UEFA) and the International Football Association (IFAB), have resulted in a significant, indeed drastic, decline in the recognition and importance placed on the care and protection of players and their well-being

Professional footballers operate under the false presumption that they are leading the ‘Beautiful game’ but to put it bluntly they are forced to participate in a tiresome and never-ending race.

With an ever-increasing number of competitions, the bodies and minds of footballers are completely shattered and neglected by UEFA and FIFA organizations and their rules.

The disheartening impacts of congested fixtures are vividly visible when analysing and contrasting the workloads of modern-day stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Vinicius Jr compared with classic legends like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney.

The Golden Generation: Manageable Loads

Back in their glory days, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were praised for their stamina. During his time at Manchester United, Beckham managed an average of 50-55 games per season, which encompassed domestic leagues, cups, and campaigns in the Champions League. Correspondingly, Rooney’s peak years included him playing 50-60 matches a year.

Even though their lives were busy, the different tournaments had separate off-seasons and they didn’t have to participate in high-profile international competitions during the mid-season.

Spending time with other teams during friendlies offered players a break. Prior to his retirement, Beckham had achieved 719 club appearances and 115 appearances with the England team, while Rooney played 763 games for clubs and 120 for the national team. Both of their careers lasted close to twenty years, which is further evidence to a more balanced calendarar that allowed time to recuperate.

The Current Pressure: Constant Demands

Now look at Bruno Fernandes and Vinicius Jr. Since he joined Manchester United in 2020, Fernandes has only missed five games due to injury, playing 58 matches in 2020–21 and 59 in 2022–23.

Likewise, Vinicius Jr. played 54 matches for Real Madrid in 2022–23 and has been in 15 games for Brazil since 2022. Their schedules get busier because of new tournaments like the UEFA Nations League and more games in the Champions League, plus there is a bigger focus on international games all year.

The mid-season 2022 World Cup in Qatar showed this disorder well. Players had no real offseason and went straight into busy club schedules. FIFA’s 32-team Club World Cup in 2025 and UEFA’s Champions League changes are set to add even more matches, putting more pressure on the calendar.

Consequences: Injuries, Exhaustion, and Careers Cut Short

The physical impact is clear. Muscle injuries, which used to be rare, are now common. Vinicius Jr. experienced three hamstring injuries in 2023, and Fernandes has dealt with ongoing ankle problems.

Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne have had many injuries, with De Bruyne calling current schedules “a shame.” Data shows this problem: a 2022 FIFPro report found a 20 percent increase in muscle injuries for players with less than five days of rest between games.

Mental health suffers too. Players like Dele Alli and Marco Reus have talked about exhaustion, while Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane left international play early due to excessive workloads.

UEFA and FIFA: Profit Over Players

Despite player protests, governing bodies prioritize revenue. The Nations League, expanded World Cup, and Club World Cup inject billions but ignore welfare concerns.

Superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric have criticized the “dangerous” calendar, while managers like Jurgen Klopp label it “a crime.

” Ironically, the quality of football suffers. Exhausted players deliver slower, less dynamic matches, undermining the sport’s appeal. Yet UEFA and FIFA remain undeterred, planning more fixtures in pursuit of commercial growth.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

Football’s custodians must heed the warnings. Capping matches, mandating rest periods, and involving players in scheduling decisions are critical steps. Without reform, the sport risks losing its stars to preventable injuries and premature retirements.

The legacy of Beckham and Rooney’s era shows that balance is possible – if only the governing bodies care enough to act.

The ‘beautiful game’ deserves a calendar that honors its players, not exploits them.