
<p>Players in today’s soccer have an off-field enemy—the rigorous schedule—in addition to the opposition they face on the pitch. </p>



<p>A troubling trend—an increase in injuries—has surfaced alongside the heated debates about the amount of games that soccer players participate in.</p>



<p>In light of the current pandemic of muscle injuries, it is necessary to investigate their origins. Some have argued that the players’ schedules are just too packed with local, European, and international games.</p>



<p>As a result, many in the soccer world are debating whether or not the beautiful game is putting excessive physical strain on its players.</p>



<h2>What did Jules Kounde say?</h2>



<p>Long gone are the days when soccer players could relax and get ready for each match on a more leisurely timetable. </p>



<p>The modern playing season is jam-packed with local leagues, cup games, continental tournaments, and international matches, leaving players with little time to relax.</p>



<p>With the current spike in injuries, it is understandable that players would be concerned about the physical toll this relentless schedule has on them. It has caused coaches and clubs a great deal of distress.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/08/01/kounde-proud-to-join-ambitious-barcelona/">Jules Kounde</a> of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">French national team</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> is one of the few stars to address this recently.</p>



<p>The 25-year-old has voiced his displeasure with the annual game schedule. According to him, one reason soccer players are more likely to sustain injuries is because of the high level of competition during games.</p>



<p>“There are too many games. The pace has become more and more intense, too many injuries. We’re going in a rhythm that’s becoming more and more dangerous. There are more and more serious injuries”.</p>



<p>“What bothers me is that when we make this observation, people say that we used to play so much… Even if that was true, it doesn’t mean it was good before!”, he said in an interview with <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1727942188959473871" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CliqueTV, via Fabrizio Romano</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="445" height="624" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231125_WST_472542_image-15.webp&amp;width=445&amp;height=624" alt="" class="wp-image-472639" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-15.png 445w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/image-15-214x300.png 214w" sizes="(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px"></figure><figcaption>Jules Kounde talking about the injuries. </figcaption></figure>



<h2>November international break takes its toll</h2>



<p>A disturbing trend of an increase in injuries sustained by soccer players has recently gone unnoticed. </p>



<p>A growing number of injuries, including strained muscles, torn ligaments, and problems caused by exhaustion, are causing elite players to miss time and lowering team effectiveness.</p>



<p>Some feel that the high volume of games and the physical demands of playing them are major factors in the current injury crisis. Players have been hit hard by injuries this FIFA international break alone; <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/teenage-psg-star-rewarded-for-brilliant-form-with-france-call-up-20231110-WST-468955.html">Warren Zaire-Emery</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/explaining-barcelonas-unexpected-and-dramatic-dip-in-form-20231114-WST-469966.html">Gavi</a>, Vinicius, Rafael Leao, Marcus Rashford, and Mason Mount are just a few names.</p>



<p>Seemingly, FIFA, UEFA, or the clubs will continue to flog the players until they reach an agreement to earn less money. Another option is for the players to form a union and go on strike. </p>



<p>However, this also seems unlikely considering how unpredictable the industry is and how just a small fraction of players are making enough to retire comfortably.</p>



<p>We can’t turn a blind eye to the drain on soccer players’ bodies while the discussion about game duration continues. Achieving a fine balance between a jam-packed schedule and the well-being of players is essential for the sport’s future.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</p>


Barca's Kounde takes swipe at UEFA and FIFA for injury pile-up

The quantity of games that players are expected to play is being questioned by Jules Kounde of Barcelona, and a growing number of players.

Barca's Kounde takes swipe at UEFA and FIFA for injury pile-up - World Soccer Talk


<p>Barcelona cannot escape its injury problems, and it is having a direct impact on the team’s form in the current campaign. Following a harrowing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/results/soccer/match/primera-division/be4d8a89-af8e-46e3-876c-67086bd60b5f/">2-2 draw against Granada</a> on Sunday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> revealed that two starters faced medical uncertainty. One of those is still reporting to international duty over the next two weeks.</p>



<p>Barcelona announced Jules Koundé and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal picked up injuries in that game. Koundé’s knock forced Xavi to take the Frenchman off in the first half of the game. Upon his substitution, Koundé was visibly upset. Lamine Yamal played for most of the game. In the second half, he scored his first goal in a Barcelona kit to become the youngest goal-scorer in LaLiga history. His injury was not serious enough to pull him out of the game. Instead, his substitution in the 76th minute was standard.</p>



<p>Regardless, Barcelona posted updates on its social media accounts to lay out what the future held for both Koundé and Yamal. Koundé has <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1711343231038787858" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a left MCL sprain</a>. This could rule the defender out for a month. Therefore, his status for Barcelona’s much-anticipated game against Real Madrid is <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38613518/jules-kounde-doubt-el-clasico-barcelona-injury-worries-mount" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uncertain</a>. </p>



<p>In Yamal’s case, Barcelona said it is a <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1711366639566848021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">left hip flexor injury</a>. Despite the knock, the teenager is still reporting to duty with Spain for the October international break. He will undergo further medical treatment with the national team, which may determine his availability upon return to the Blaugrana.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jules Koundé is a major doubt to face Real Madrid on Oct. 28 and is likely to be sidelined for around a month after injuring his knee against Granada, sources have told ESPN.<br><br>Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski are also sidelined with injuries 🤕 <a href="https://t.co/UNgbadflgn">pic.twitter.com/UNgbadflgn</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1711403661828424122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>A growing list of injury problems at Barcelona</h2>



<p>With Yamal and Koundé joining the injury list, Barcelona’s litany of unavailable players is truly world-class. Pedri has missed most of this season with a hamstring injury that plagued recent seasons. A sprained ankle ruled Frenkie de Jong out for four games. Then, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lewandowski-sprained-ankle-how-long-will-injury-rule-him-out-20231005-WST-460512.html">Robert Lewandowski sustained an injury</a> in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-grinds-out-win-at-porto-in-champions-league-20231004-WST-460464.html">Barcelona’s Champions League win at Porto</a>. Raphinha has also missed the last two games because of a muscle injury.</p>



<p>These players do not have a timetable to return as things stand. As stated, the first <em>Clasico</em> of the season is looming. Barcelona has already dropped points in three games this season, allowing Real Madrid to an early three-point edge in the LaLiga table.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Barcelona hit with more injury problems before int'l break

Barcelona has a growing list of injury problems. After a 2-2 draw at Granada this past weekend, the club revealed injuries to two starters.

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Barca's Kounde takes swipe at UEFA and FIFA for injury pile-up

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Barcelona hit with more injury problems before int'l break