Gareth Bale has criticised the 'crazy' schedule, saying it is wrong that Kevin De Bruyne could potentially play close to 80 games next season.
Bale's Wales face De Bruyne's Belgium in the Nations League on Saturday and player protection has been a topic of discussion in the Welsh camp.
'Someone mentioned on the table at lunch that Kevin De Bruyne could play 79 games next season and have a three-week break,' Bale said. 'It is too much.. Things obviously need to change.
'I think every player will tell you there are way too many games - it is impossible to play at a high level for that amount of games and there will be consequences in the long term.
'People's bodies can't deal with that kind of calendar year after year. Something has to change. People at the top of the game have to do something but, unfortunately, money comes into it.'
De Bruyne could play 63 games across four competitions for Manchester City, as well as the Community Shield, while also representing Belgium in Nations League matches, European Championship qualifiers and the 2022 World Cup.
'For player welfare, money needs to be overlooked and you need to look after the players because without the players, there's no product,' Bale added.
Bale is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid and rejected rumours that his next club would have to give him special treatment.
'I don't just sit at home doing nothing,' said the 32-year-old. 'I pretty much train every day. Once I get back into playing regular football, my body will get more robust and a bit better, rather than in and out.'
He said he is not close to choosing a club, but did say he will not be signing for Getafe, despite speculation.
EmeraldJ
63
Is it football games or golf he's talking about? Ohkay..... Maybe the combination of both football games and golf are too much for someone
feyabcilp
35
Blah blah blah, Just get on with it it's your job. Maybe manufacturing employees should start wringing about working 5or6 days 8+ hours a day 300, days a year. 1or2, games a week + 2or3, days intensive training and a salary big enough to cancel a 3rd world country's debt just stop feeling sorry for yourselves. Nobody's going to pity you!!
whykallar
29
The injury fears still in Bale, but notwithstanding i agree with him, players are use too much and i guess it’s because of the money, the body also needs rest🙏
Andy_Mac
8
Blah blah blah, Just get on with it it's your job. Maybe manufacturing employees should start wringing about working 5or6 days 8+ hours a day 300, days a year. 1or2, games a week + 2or3, days intensive training and a salary big enough to cancel a 3rd world country's debt just stop feeling sorry for yourselves. Nobody's going to pity you!!
Yes they should complain too. When are human beings going to start valuing themselves? We need a balance between work and personal life. I think these footballers have just as much right to complain about these fixtures as much as any other person working in any other field. These people don't have enough personal time with their families because they're having to train every day, preparing for each game. Maybe you need to start looking at the bigger picture.