An injury can be detrimental to the career of any player. Whether at a high or low level, injuries tend to be some of the greatest obstacles for athletes. Currently, there has been a dramatic increase in injuries all across the soccer world and players are not happy.

One of the leading causes of an increase in recurring injuries is a lack of recovery time and a surplus of games. This is exactly the state of the current soccer world. FIFA has introduced more and more different competitions over the years and has recently been adding on more games and therefore, shortening break periods.

For top athletes, giving a 100% every game is required. This, when endured for prolonged periods, can greatly increase the risk of injury for any player. The more games that players have to participate in, the higher the chances. With more tournaments, longer international breaks, and cutting holiday breaks to fit in more games, FIFA (and teams alike) are putting financials and viewership over the health of their players.

In the Premier League alone, there have been 196 injuries this season and there is still two-thirds of the season remaining. The last four seasons have stayed fairly stable but due to many calendar changes and changes to extra time rules, there has been a 15% increase in injuries for this season alone.

This is happening in every league and not just to older and more injury-prone players. Young talents who are surrounded by the world’s best medical staff are consistently getting injured around the world. This is putting the future of the sport at risk since these young players are wasting precious developmental time in recovery instead of on the field.

Many players are even conveying their disappointment in FIFA’s new rules. Raphaël Varane is one player that had voiced his concerns directly to the FIFA board claiming that certain new rules and new scheduling had dramatically impacted his career and left him unavailable for the second half of the 2022 World Cup and the rest of the season after.

It is disappointing to see that once again, clubs and FIFA are putting financial responsibility over the health and wellness of their players as well as the entertainment of their fans. It seems as though every move made is in the direction of pulling out as much money and time out of a player without any consideration for their wellbeing. 

 

Thank you and have a wonderful day.