European football is going through a strange crisis. Clubs are now more concerned with player injuries than their opponents’ strategies or their own game plans. Continuous match schedules are wearing down players with injuries and fatigue.
The injury problem has been evident since the start of this season, and it has now taken on an almost ‘epidemic’ level. Several star players, including Rodri, Militao, and Andre Ter Stegen, are out for extended periods.
One major factor behind these injuries is believed to be the national team matches during international breaks. Due to a lack of coordination and unfamiliarity, these matches often lead to severe injuries.
This is why coaches are often anxious about their players during international breaks. Recently, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta expressed his concern, saying, ‘I just pray we get our players back physically fit after the international break.’
However, this time, the injury crisis had already worsened before the break began. Many players, like Lucas Vasquez, Militao, and Rodri, were injured just before the break while playing for Real Madrid.
Similarly, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski sustained injuries, sidelining Yamal for 2-3 weeks and Lewandowski for 10 days. Yamal’s case, in particular, has drawn attention.
He wasn’t in the squad for Barcelona’s recent loss to Real Sociedad. Barcelona allegedly requested that Yamal refrain from national team duties due to his injury. As a result, he was withdrawn from the Spanish squad. Previously, Yamal had also left the national team mid-way during an international break.
Many are suspicious of these injuries right before national team games. On social media, some have voiced their thoughts openly. One user commented under the news of Lewandowski’s injury, ‘It should be called rest, not an injury, to skip national team games.’
Another said, ‘Barcelona is trying to protect its players from international matches. We understand that, but they shouldn’t try to deceive us.’
Last September, just before the international break, The Athletic referred to Premier League players withdrawing due to injuries as a ‘conspiracy.’ While he didn’t directly address it, England captain Harry Kane hinted at the issue.
Kane, clearly frustrated with players pulling out of the national team due to minor injuries, remarked, ‘I think this time of the season is tough. Maybe some people are taking advantage of that. If you’re honest, you wouldn’t like to do that. For me, England comes above all, even the club.’
Already, players like Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite have withdrawn from their national teams.
