Gerard Pique presents a unique solution to the problem of football’s overloaded schedule | OneFootball

There is no doubt that the increasing number of matches in every calendar year is having a very drastic impact on the health of the top-level players. Clubs like FC Barcelona have experienced this problem first-hand, with the long-term injuries suffered by some of their most important players in the last few years.

Only at this initial phase of the 2024-25 season, the Blaugranes have seen several of their players suffer from some significant injuries, including Marc Bernal and Marc Andre Ter Stegen, who are both unlikely to play again this season.

Several high-profile players have already spoken out against the ever-tightening schedule, and there have even been statements hinting at a possible strike. But with no clear solution in sight, commentators continue to put forward their own solutions to this problem.

One such commentator to have provided a rather unique solution for this problem has been the former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. As Diario AS has reported, the Spaniard was speaking at a round table organized for the Leaders Week in London.

The former Barcelona captain argued for a reduction in the number of teams participating in top leagues, which would naturally lead to a decrease in the number of matches in a season:

“I think the number of matches should be reduced. We should call all the leagues and tell them that instead of 20 teams, the competitions should be held with only 16 clubs…”

“There are too many matches, and now we’re seeing players shout, ‘We’re getting injured.’ There are games every three days, and there’s no time to rest in the summer.”

Gerard Pique also had some very poignant questions for the governing bodies in football:

“I would ask the people at UEFA: why are you creating this Nations League, which is a difficult competition to follow? And I would tell FIFA to go ahead with this FIFA Club World Cup that they created.”

“I understand they want to generate more revenue, but for the good of football, I think it would be much better to have fewer matches but more premium and exclusive experiences. It would be easier to entertain the public, and the players would have fewer games.”

Pique’s words definitely make some sense, but it is only one of the solutions put forward in recent months. It remains to be seen how the governing bodies tackle this issue going forward, but this is definitely an interesting proposal.