Barcelona legend urges players to go on strike | OneFootball

Sergio Busquets, a Barcelona legend, has voiced his concerns about the growing frustration among football players regarding the congested match schedule.

According to Busquets, if players decide to go on strike, it would be necessary because it seems to be the only way they can make their voices heard.

“If the players decide to go on strike, it will be necessary to do so. It is the only way to be heard. Otherwise, it is like not having a voice or a vote and it is worrying,” said the former midfielder as quoted by BeSoccer.

The issue of player burnout has been a major topic in football for some time. With the introduction of more matches through UEFA’s expanded club competitions and FIFA’s new Club World Cup, the problem has intensified.

Rodri was the first to voice concern

Recently, Manchester City’s Rodri was one of the first prominent players to openly warn that players may go on strike if the situation does not improve.

Jules Kounde has spoken in support of the strike. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

His statement was quickly followed by support from other high-profile players. Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois echoed Rodri’s sentiments, along with Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, and Aston Villa’s John McGinn.

“I agree with everything Rodri said,” said Kounde.

“There will come a time when we will have to go on strike because it’s the only way for those who decide to understand us.

“Now with the Club World Cup, we are going to reach around 70 matches per season, which is crazy,” he added.

Although a players’ strike seems unlikely at this moment, the growing number of statements from influential players keeps the issue in the spotlight.

The future of a potential strike will depend on ongoing discussions behind the scenes. If legal proceedings shift in favour of FIFA, the possibility of a strike could become even more realistic, making it a significant issue for football’s governing bodies to address.