Let’s talk about Ruben Dias — one of City’s defensive rocks and an all-around leader — who just dropped some serious truth bombs about football’s grueling fixture pile-up. If you thought you were tired after a long week, imagine playing top-flight football every three days for months. Yeah, it’s that wild.
City’s Winning Ways Come at a Cost
We all know Manchester City have been an unstoppable force in recent years. Four straight Premier League titles? Check. A shiny Champions League trophy? Check. Domestic and European dominance? Check, check, check! City are a club built for glory, but the intense fixture calendar is pushing even the best of the best to their limits.
So far this season, the Blues are chasing another league title, sitting just behind Liverpool. But let’s face it — getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup and grinding through the Champions League knockouts is no walk in the Etihad.
Ruben Dias Speaks Out: “It’s Extreme”
During the final international break of 2024, Ruben Dias, who is now 27 years old, shared some fiery opinions at the Web Summit, calling out football’s brutal schedule. Via O Jogo, Dias said, “To perform better, it’s necessary to ensure athletes are safe, but few care about us —it’s all about profit.”
Cityzens, picture this: on top of the madness of the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, there’s the Club World Cup looming at the season’s end. Ruben called it “the craziest yet,” and honestly, it’s hard to argue with him.
“We need time to recharge and put on a good show,” he continued. “In the past, the number of games was manageable. Now? We’re well beyond that.”
Dias didn’t mince words about what could happen if things don’t change: “If we have to raise our voices and go on strike, we will.”
Ruben Dias’ full statements as quoted directly:
“To perform better, it is necessary to ensure that athletes are safe, but few care about the athletes, but rather the financial aspect and profit,” he said.
“This season especially will be the craziest yet, with the Club World Cup at the end of the season.
“We have to think about the players if we want to put on a good show, giving ourselves enough time to recharge our batteries and put on the best show.
“In the past, we had a normal number of games. We are now well beyond that normal. We have to focus the issue on the athletes, as we are the ones who play.
“We realise the industry we have around us, but it’s our bodies that are in question. We need to rest and breathe. If it has to be, it is important that we are all together and do it together, like another extreme situation.
“If we have to raise our voice and go on strike, we will do so.”
What to Expect 🙂
Bernardo Silva Backs Him Up
Ruben isn’t the only one feeling the burn. Bernardo Silva, another City maestro, who is now 30 years old, sounded off back in September about how relentless the calendar has become. “The schedule is completely crazy,” he said. “We’re playing every three days for months. It’s absurd.”
And Bernardo wasn’t done. He pointed out how little time players have for family and friends, saying, “The amount of games we’re subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
Bernardo Silva’s full statements as quoted directly:
“The schedule is completely crazy.
“We’ll probably play every three days for months. It’s been absolutely absurd.
“In the Champions League, if you don’t qualify for the round of 16 you still have to play two more games. It’s true that the squads are bigger, but I’m not going to say that it’s easy. It hasn’t been easy.
“I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we’re subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
What’s Next? A Player Strike?
With changes in the Champions League structure and the insane demands of the Club World Cup, it’s no surprise players are speaking up. Dias hinted at the ultimate move — players uniting to strike if necessary. Could you imagine football’s biggest stars refusing to play? It’s a bold move, but it might be what’s needed to shake things up.
Cityzens, while we love watching our boys light up the pitch, it’s clear that something’s gotta give. Ruben and Bernardo are standing up for their fellow players, and as fans, we can only hope ‘the powers that be’ listen. After all, if the Blues are going to keep dominating, we need them at their very best — mentally, physically, and emotionally.
What do you think? Should players strike to protect their health, or is this just part of being the best in the world? Let’s hear it, City family!
