Amid issues over participant welfare, a exceptional stat has emerged revealing Cody Gakpo because the most-played footballer within the elite sport.
Footballers are taking part in extra minutes than ever, with the game’s varied organisations competing for relevance on the soccer calendar.
As a staff that often competes on 4 fronts, Liverpool have a packed schedule. Throw in much more internationals for many of the squad, and also you get a scenario by which the Reds are merely taking part in an excessive amount of soccer.
World gamers’ union FIFPro stated Liverpool and Netherlands ahead Cody Gakpo was concerned in 71 aggressive video games for membership and nation in 2024, greater than another participant.
Fifteen of these got here for the Netherlands, leaving him to play 61 matches for the Reds through the 52-week calendar yr.
He performed these 61 matches throughout the Premier League, the Europa League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
With it being a World Cup yr, he may come near that tally once more in 2025 if Liverpool and the Netherlands progress of their respective tournaments.
Earlier this yr, FIFPro printed a report recommending skilled footballers be allowed at the very least a four-week low season break and a minimal of 4 weeks in pre-season.
In the mean time, the necessary summer season break permitted is simply three weeks.
After the World Cup closing on July 19, 2026, there’s little greater than a four-week hole till the Premier League restarts on August 22.
Jurgen Klopp’s assist for higher participant welfare
Jurgen Klopp is among the many most outstanding voices for higher participant welfare, just lately criticising the newly expanded FIFA Membership World Cup format.
The previous supervisor informed Welt am Sonntag: “It’s all in regards to the sport and never the encircling occasions – and that’s why the Membership World Cup is the worst thought ever applied in soccer on this regard.
“Individuals who have by no means had or don’t have something to do with day-to-day enterprise any extra are arising with one thing.
“There may be insane cash for collaborating, but it surely’s additionally not for each membership.
“Final yr it was the Copa (America) and the European Championship, this yr it’s the Membership World Cup, and subsequent yr the World Cup. Which means no actual restoration for the gamers concerned, neither bodily nor mentally.
“I’ve severe fears that gamers will endure accidents they’ve by no means had earlier than subsequent season. If not subsequent season, then it’ll occur on the World Cup or afterwards.
“We continuously anticipate the gamers to enter each sport as if it have been their final. We inform them that 70 or 75 instances a yr. However it will probably’t go on like this.
“We’ve to ensure they’ve breaks, as a result of in the event that they don’t get them, they gained’t be capable to ship prime performances – and if they will’t obtain that any extra, your entire product loses worth.”
Properly stated, Jurgen. It doesn’t matter how a lot cash you earn, it doesn’t change your physique’s capabilities.
