Bernardo Silva has criticized the busy schedule top players have to endure while representing their countries internationally. Silva is gearing up for his sixth game of the season with Portugal set to face Scotland on Sunday, with even more matches on the horizon as European competitions draw near. This season in the Champions League, teams will play a total of eight games in the group stage, an increase from the usual six, and a new play-off round has been introduced before the last-16 matchups. Additionally, at the international level, teams are also participating in the Nations League with three international breaks scheduled before the end of the year. Silva shared his thoughts with Record, highlighting the challenges faced by top players due to the demanding schedule.
Bernardo Silva is the most recent big name to criticize the demanding schedule of football matches.
Silva is gearing up for his sixth match of the season as he represents Portugal on the international stage.
If Manchester City makes it to the finals of every competition this season, they may end up playing a total of 68 matches. The head coach expressed his concerns about the jam-packed schedule, mentioning that they only have one day off before the English League Cup game.
He highlighted the hectic nature of playing matches every three days for months, describing it as “absolutely absurd.” Even in the Champions League, teams that don’t make it to the round of 16 still have to play two additional games.
While acknowledging that squads have grown in size, he emphasized that managing this demanding schedule is far from easy. The constant games have taken a toll on his personal life, leaving little time for family and friends.
Adding to their busy calendar, Manchester City is set to participate in the Club World Cup this summer, extending their season possibly until July 13. Overall, if they progress to the final of each tournament, they could potentially play 68 matches in this campaign, including international commitments.
The challenging schedule has drawn criticism from various figures in football, with other prominent names like Jurgen Klopp and Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango speaking out against the demanding fixture list.
Kevin De Bruyne has joined in criticizing the schedule, placing the responsibility on UEFA and FIFA. The Manchester City player expressed his concerns about the packed calendar, stating that the issue arises from the additional matches organized by these governing bodies. He highlighted the tight timeline between the Club World Cup final and the start of the Premier League season, leaving players with only three weeks off before gearing up for another demanding season. De Bruyne emphasized that despite their objections, no solution has been reached, as money seems to be the driving force behind these decisions. Currently on international duty with Belgium, De Bruyne is set to face Israel and France in the upcoming matches.
