Real Madrid, PSG, and Yamal are all under FIFPRO scrutiny
The injury crisis at Paris Saint-Germain is causing concern that extends well beyond the borders of the French capital. Marquinhos has now joined a growing list of absentees that includes Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, João Neves, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The latest report from FIFPRO confirms what many have been concerned about: overloaded calendars are pushing players to their limits.
Following the conclusion of PSG’s extensive 2024/2025 season, which culminated in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea on July 13, the team resumed training on August 6 and went on to compete against Tottenham in the European Super Cup just a week later. The absence of a genuine preseason has significantly contributed to the accumulation of physical setbacks we are witnessing now.
Fixture overload examined closely
The report from FIFPRO underscores significant systemic shortcomings. The players’ union demands a minimum of 28 days of rest following a season and a proper four-week preseason; however, PSG, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City all did not meet these requirements. PSG had just seven days of preseason, while Chelsea had 13, and both Madrid and City had 19.
As fixture demands increase, the times for rest and preparation are becoming increasingly limited. The statistics are evident: Arda Güler participated in 80 games last season, Luka Modric in 79, João Neves in 76, while Federico Valverde and Fabian Ruiz both played 73 matches. Union president Sergio Marchi cautioned that the future of football hinges on reestablishing balance and honoring recovery periods.
Young stars bear the greatest weight
The risks extend beyond just veterans. Lamine Yamal, recognized as a standout young talent in global football, has already accumulated 8,158 minutes of play before reaching the age of 18, which is nearly double that of his contemporaries. Jude Bellingham comes next with 6,216 minutes, which remains an impressive workload for someone so young. FIFPRO cautions that excessive exposure of developing players poses significant long-term risks to their health and careers.
In addition to that, there are severe heat conditions — similar to those experienced in the U.S., which will host the 2026 World Cup — along with grueling travel schedules, exemplified by Moisés Caicedo’s 25,000 km trek for merely four matches. The report clearly indicates that if football authorities do not take action, both established stars and emerging talents are at risk of experiencing burnout and having their careers cut short.
