LaLiga: FC Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, is fervently advocating for a transformative shift in the football calendar to curtail the rising tide of player injuries. Xavi’s impassioned plea gained momentum following the devastating season-ending injury to Barcelona’s rising star, Gavi, who fell victim to an unfortunate ACL tear.
In the build-up to Barcelona’s imminent clash with Rayo Vallecano on November 25, Xavi underscored the imperative of minimizing international breaks to just one per season. He firmly believes that such a recalibration could dramatically decrease the prevalence of player injuries, an assertion stemming from the setback Barcelona faced with Gavi’s untimely injury during the recent international hiatus.
Xavi’s call for a calendar overhaul is a resonant response to the injury plight that has beset Barcelona. The blow to the team’s fortunes intensified as Marc Andre ter Stegen, the stalwart goalkeeper and a team captain, suffered an injury during national team training last week.
Addressing the press, Xavi elucidated that the congested fixture schedule involving both club and national team commitments has been a breeding ground for a spate of injuries. With perceptible concern, Xavi suggested a potential solution, stating, “I think FIFA is already considering it… one potential solution could be nine months dedicated to club commitments and two months allocated to national team activities, with an additional month for players’ vacation.” This proposal implies a fundamental restructuring of the football calendar to foster player well-being.
Xavi further accentuated the pressing issue of inadequate recovery time between international fixtures and the resumption of league matches. The coach argued that this dearth of rest induces fatigue, significantly heightening the vulnerability to injuries. In his words, “This approach would help avoid many lengthy trips. For instance, players like Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo or Brazil forward Raphinha endured trips lasting 13 to 14 hours. They returned just yesterday and haven’t had a chance to rest.” Xavi stressed that this challenge is not exclusive to Barcelona but is pervasive across all teams.
Since the culmination of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the football fraternity has borne witness to a surge in injuries. Expressing deep concern over Gavi’s unfortunate injury, Xavi asserted the imperative for a less demanding calendar. He remarked, “Many coaches have voiced concerns about the strenuous calendar, and in this context, I believe it is a significant factor in Gavi’s injury, aside from mere misfortune.” He acknowledged that suffering a cruciate ligament injury often boils down to sheer bad luck.
Barcelona, currently occupying the third position after 13 matches, grapples with a challenge—securing consecutive league victories since September. Their pursuit involves narrowing a four-point gap with the league leaders, Girona, as they navigate the intricate dynamics of a demanding season.
