The issue of congested football schedules has been a hot topic over the past year, especially as high-profile injuries continue to rise. Real Madrid, in particular, has felt the impact, with Thibaut Courtois being one of the notable players affected. In August 2023, Courtois suffered a torn ACL, forcing him to miss most of the 2023-24 season. Speaking about the ongoing fixture congestion, Courtois shared his thoughts with Relevo.
“We need to stop using the excuse of ‘making a lot of money’,” Courtois said. “You can still make money by cutting down the number of games. It’s not the number of matches, it’s the lack of rest.”
The Belgian goalkeeper praised FIFPRO, the global players’ union, for its efforts to protect players, but added that other football governing bodies don’t seem to prioritize player well-being.
“The Club World Cup is important, but it’s hard to find the right balance in the calendar,” Courtois continued. “Clubs want to help, but we have to follow the rules and schedules set by the governing bodies.”
Courtois also referenced his Real Madrid teammates, particularly Federico Valverde, who is known for rarely getting the chance to rest or rotate, both at the club and international level.
“Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal played until July 14, and by August 1, they were back in training in Madrid. Then, on August 8, they were playing in the Super Cup,” Courtois said. “If you tell NBA or NFL fans about this, they won’t understand. I was laughing with Fede Valverde the other day and joked: ‘Your next vacation will be in 2027.’ It sounds crazy, but it’s true. With the Club World Cup this year, the World Cup next year, and other tournaments after that, there’s no time to rest.”
