"We need to get more rest" Mbappé criticizes the number of matches in one season! | OneFootball

Objections began to appear among the players again.

Getty Images

As international football takes center stage, a prominent voice has emerged to challenge the demanding rhythm of the modern game. Kylian Mbappé, the superstar forward for both France and Real Madrid, has openly expressed his growing concern regarding the increasingly congested football calendar.

Speaking candidly at a press conference, the French captain cast doubt on the physical and mental sustainability of the current schedule, questioning whether any player is truly capable of performing at their peak across sixty matches in a single season. "I don't know if we're ready to play 60 matches," Mbappé stated, emphasizing the need for greater recovery time. "I can't remember ever seeing a player perform at his best across 60 games. We need more rest."

His comments arrive as the French squad prepares for its opening 2026 World Cup qualifier, an away fixture against Ukraine scheduled for Friday, September 5th at 20:45. Mbappé, having already arrived at the national team's training base, signaled his readiness for duty by sharing images of his return to the camp on his Instagram, even as he sparked a crucial conversation about the sport's future.