How coaches persuade stars they cannot play every match | OneFootball

Convincing star players to rest is a delicate blend of psychology and politics, the balance between safeguarding bodies and preserving egos.

According to L'Équipe, Vahid Halilhodzic says footballers push to play even when tired or hurt, and that selection is the coach’s call. Ousmane Dembélé played the Champions League play-off first leg at Monaco despite left-calf warnings, and now looks likely to miss Wednesday’s return.

Agents, trusted physios and personal trainers can blur lines, ignoring internal workloads. Bradley Barcola initially trained outside PSG with a Gestifute-appointed coach, a link since ended. Belgium assistant Stéphane Jobard says players think injuries hit others, so medical and performance teams must moderate, trusting athletes if no red flags appear.

PSG’s performance staff run daily check-ins on mood, sleep and fatigue. Even so, persuading Kylian Mbappé or Neymar to pause is not simple. Lionel Messi, 38, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, still resist the idea of cutting back.

Joao Sacramento, who worked with Christophe Galtier at Lille and PSG and also Tottenham, says equal rights can coexist with different treatment based on responsibility and impact. He argues great players are fixated on winning, and team-mates accept special status when performances merit it, not when reputation outstrips output.

Galtier’s staff have at times reined players in, using two or three match plans at Lille to spread minutes, helped by the absence of a fixed superstar. As Vahid Halilhodzic puts it, everyone needs some cake. At this level, authority can prove more fragile than muscle.

Source: L'Équipe