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Kylian Mbappe calls for 'rest' amid players' complaints about demanding match schedule | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 9:59 GMT by Sporting News
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Mbappé Pushes for Player Rest Amid Rising Concerns Over a Gruelling Match Calendar

Paris Saint‑Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé has taken the helm of a growing chorus of professional footballers demanding a recalibration of the modern match schedule. Speaking at a press briefing earlier this week, the 24‑year‑old star called for a more balanced calendar that gives players the breathing room they need to perform at their best—and, he argued, protect them from injury. While the comments came in the context of the French national team’s forthcoming international fixtures, they reverberate far beyond Paris, touching clubs across Europe, including Spain’s Real Madrid, which recently faced a tight schedule of its own.

Why the call for rest?

Mbappé’s comments followed an exhaustive stretch of play for France’s national squad, which had recently wrapped up the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. He noted that the national team’s congested calendar—five games in a 12‑day window—had left many players feeling physically and mentally depleted. “Every time we turn the corner, it’s a new challenge. Our bodies are doing more than they should,” he said. He added that fatigue could be a key factor behind the recent drop in performance seen by fans and pundits alike.

The star forward went on to explain that the issue is not unique to France. “In the Champions League, the Premier League, La Liga—every league is trying to squeeze in as many games as possible. The calendar is a nightmare for the players.” Mbappé highlighted that this relentless pace can lead to long‑term injuries and shortened careers, citing high‑profile examples from both club and international football.

The complaints that made headlines

Mbappé’s plea for rest coincided with a flurry of complaints from players across the board. In an interview with Le Monde, French midfielder Adrien Rabiot complained that the French national team’s coaching staff had not been as accommodating with player rest as the club sides. “We’re playing a lot of high‑intensity matches. We need more recovery time,” Rabiot said, echoing a sentiment that has been shared by several PSG teammates.

In addition, PSG’s manager Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the strain on his squad, citing that “the calendar is demanding, and we have to do our best to manage the workload.” He referenced a “dynamic approach” that includes rest days and monitoring of player fitness, but also pointed out that the team’s depth allows them to rotate effectively.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s situation mirrors that of the French side. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, the Spanish club has been juggling La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and domestic cup competitions. Ancelotti, in a recent interview with AS, noted that “the schedule is demanding, but it’s a reality of the sport. We are doing everything we can to manage player workload.” His comments came after a series of tightly scheduled fixtures that had the club fielding rotated line‑ups, a strategy that has proven effective yet raises concerns about player fatigue.

The broader debate

Mbappé’s comments tap into a wider debate about how football’s governing bodies, such as FIFA and UEFA, should structure match calendars. The French Football Federation, for instance, has been vocal about the need for better coordination between club and country commitments. In a press release, the federation’s president, Anne‑Marie Ponsot, highlighted that “the welfare of the players should be a priority.”

Players across Europe have also weighed in. Spanish striker Karim Benzema of Real Madrid shared that he had seen “a lot of players struggle to recover between games.” In an interview with El Mundo Deportivo, Benzema suggested that the current schedule “is unsustainable in the long run.” Meanwhile, English midfielder Marcus Rashford, after a taxing run of fixtures for the Premier League and the England national team, stated that “the calendar is intense, and rest is crucial.”

The conversation has also touched on the financial implications of a congested calendar. Club revenues are undeniably tied to marquee fixtures and international tournaments, but the long‑term health of players—who are the clubs’ biggest assets—must be factored into any scheduling decisions.

Real Madrid’s response

The Real Madrid club’s leadership appears to be taking the issue seriously. In a statement issued after Mbappé’s remarks, the club’s president, Florentino Pérez, reiterated his commitment to player welfare. “We are in constant dialogue with the players, the coaching staff, and medical teams to ensure that each player is at peak condition for the matches we play,” Pérez said. He also promised to collaborate with the Spanish Football Federation to review how the national team fixtures could be better aligned with club commitments.

What does this mean for the future of football?

Mbappé’s bold stance has amplified an issue that has long simmered beneath the surface of professional football. While the call for rest is primarily aimed at safeguarding player health and maintaining high‑quality performances, it also raises practical questions about the viability of current football calendars.

Will FIFA and UEFA take concrete steps to reduce the number of fixtures, particularly for international tournaments that run parallel to domestic leagues? Or will the financial pressures of broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and global fan engagement continue to dictate a schedule that leaves players exhausted?

Only time will tell. For now, the conversation is alive, fueled by a star player who has proven that he cares not just about scoring goals, but about the well‑being of the sport’s most valuable asset—its players.