Aston Villa captain John McGinn has spoken out about the alarming mental health risks faced by top-level footballers due to an increasingly congested fixture list. Having played an impressive 66 matches last season for both club and country, McGinn is well-placed to voice his concerns about the demanding calendar and the need for better balance in the sport.
The high price of success
McGinn acknowledges that the desire to play more games is a natural consequence of success. Reflecting on his time when Aston Villa was mid-table, he noted that fewer games were played, and there was less at stake towards the end of the season. "We were desperate to play games," he explained.
However, as Aston Villa climbed higher in the league standings, the reality of competing at the highest level shifted his perspective. The expanded Club World Cup, set to feature 32 teams next summer, is a particular source of concern for McGinn. "I think that there is a part of it that's getting a little out of hand, especially the Club World Cup next season," he stated.
While acknowledging that players are well-compensated and passionate about their jobs, McGinn emphasised that the mental strain is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. His comments are part of a growing chorus among high-profile players.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson recently expressed frustration over the lack of player consultation in UEFA's Champions League expansion. Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested that strike action could be on the horizon if the situation doesn't improve.
The human cost of a packed schedule
The lack of recovery time for players involved in the expanded Club World Cup has become a significant point of contention. McGinn highlighted this issue by saying,
"At the end of the season, you just want to go, hands up, I'm done. But now the teams in that Club World Cup, they're not going to have any time to do that."
His teammate at Aston Villa, Youri Tielemans, also weighed in on the issue, highlighting the physical toll of the packed schedule. "Football is a demanding sport. The amount of games, there are more competitions, football is getting tougher every year," Tielemans remarked.
The Belgian midfielder stressed the importance of proper recovery time and injury management. He acknowledged that injuries are an inevitable part of the game but emphasised the need for players to take care of their bodies amidst such a gruelling schedule.
Unai Emery has also joined the conversation. In his recent programme notes, he expressed concern about the number of matches his international players are required to play. He urged football authorities to reconsider the current schedule, describing it as "out of any common sense."
A call to action
As this debate intensifies, players are calling for football authorities to address these concerns. McGinn stated,
"There's not a lot of time to rest, so they need to get the balance a bit better, and there's a lot of people pushing for that."
With players, managers, and union representatives like Maheta Molango of the Professional Footballers' Association speaking out, pressure is mounting on football's governing bodies to find a solution that prioritises player welfare without compromising the sport's competitive nature.