Top footballers could go on STRIKE over new 73-match-a-season calendar as Man City star Rodri joins Liverpool’s Alisson with a powerful speech railing against new Champions League format

Ballon d’Or favourite Rodri revealed the world’s elite stars are considering striking over football’s increasingly hectic schedule.

The Manchester City midfielder was bullish about players being treated as commodities, admitting that the lack of rest is worrying professionals and becoming a constant source of discussion inside dressing rooms.

Pep Guardiola‘s side kick off their Champions League campaign against Inter on Wednesday and could end up competing in 73 matches during a season that is not likely to finish until July given their participation in the new Club World Cup.

‘I think we are close to that [striking],’ Rodri said. ‘It’s easy to understand [why]. Ask any player and they’d say the same. If it keeps going this way it’ll come to a moment where we have no other option. It is something that worries us.

‘I think it’s too much. Someone has to take care of us, because we are the main characters of this sport, or business, or whatever you want to call it. Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show.’

Manchester City could play up to 73 matches this season as games continue to be added to the football calendar

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson slammed the new Champions League format, with the PFA working on legal action against FIFA

Rodri echoed Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson’s criticism of an ever-expanding calendar, while the PFA are working on legal action against FIFA due to an ‘overloaded and unworkable’ schedule.

The Spain international – who featured for 5,275 minutes across 61 appearances for club and country last season – pointed towards Erling Haaland’s extended summer break as a reason for a blistering start to this term.

‘He had a long break because his country didn’t qualify for the Euros and you see you how he is performing,’ Rodri added.

‘It gives you a clue why we ask this. I think between 40 and 50 games is the amount a player can perform at the highest level. After that you drop, because it’s impossible to sustain the physical level.

‘If the people want to see better football, we need to rest. When the amount of games starts getting bigger, the performance and quality of the games gets lower.’

A PFA spokesperson said: ‘In recent weeks our members have made their feelings very clear when it comes to the fixture calendar and player workload.

A PFA spokesperson has called for players and their union to be ‘listened to’ around fixture conjestion

‘Players and their unions have asked to be listened to and to be a central part of these processes. When they are ignored then the natural consequence is that players will begin to consider all options available to them.

‘Players are repeatedly saying that enough is enough, and this must now act as a serious wake up call to the authorities.’