The brand new format of the 2024-25 Champions League has successfully revolutionized the European soccer calendar, considerably growing the variety of video games: from 125 to 189. Extra minutes, extra money earned.
However whereas the coffers of probably the most profitable golf equipment are smiling, then again, gamers have needed to cope with bodily issues which have conditioned the limitless season that’s about to conclude.
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Those that, then again, have been in a position to depend on formidable bodily situation have overwhelmed extraordinary attendance data. However watch out for pulling the rope too tight. As a result of footballers will not be machines and the latest previous has already proven us the consequences of such devastating seasons on the athletes’ our bodies.
😳 Mindless numbers for Valverde
A obvious instance is Federico Valverde, the “marathon runner” of Actual Madrid, who has totaled 6,674 minutes performed between membership and nationwide staff (together with further time), equal to 74 90-minute video games in lower than 11 months. A determine that completely displays the pattern of Actual Madrid, the primary staff for video games performed within the 2024/25 season (68 whole).
The determine is spectacular and places him on the prime of the rating of probably the most used gamers globally, forward of Bruno Fernandes, the tireless chief of Manchester United. The Portuguese is now a continuing presence in these seasonal rankings.
Already within the 2020/21 season, he had distinguished himself, surpassed solely by a really younger Pedri, who that yr collected 73 video games and 5,273 minutes in eight competitions. Nevertheless, the Barcelona midfielder is a warning: the next yr he was pressured to overlook 39 video games attributable to muscle accidents, notably to the thigh. A transparent signal of the hazards of extended overload, particularly at a younger age.
🚨 FIFPRO sounds the alarm
Within the case of Valverde, the priority is greater than official. Gamers like him, who mix depth, versatility, and extraordinary resistance, turn out to be indispensable for his or her coaches, however danger paying a excessive value within the medium to long run.
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FIFPRO, the worldwide footballers’ union, has repeatedly sounded the alarm on the overcrowded calendar, proposing measures akin to obligatory breaks, extra structured rotations, and annual minute limits to cut back the danger of significant accidents and shortened careers.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 JUAN MABROMATA – AFP or licensors