Kylian Mbappe has opened up about the demanding football schedule across leagues amid other competitions that have added to players’ woes.
Prior to Mbappe, several other stars and coaches have voiced their opinions on the same. One of the Real Madrid star's national teammates, Jules Kounde, also recently spoke about the same, describing the current situation as ‘overconsumption.’
During a press conference ahead of France's opening 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, Kounde said,
"It's not just about the players. There are families. I also think about all the people who work around football and who are sometimes victims of this relentless pace," as per Tribal Football.
"It's a whole ecosystem. Sometimes in life, when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. That's what's happening with football - it's overconsumption."
The Barcelona star concluded by urging football's governing bodies to bring on changes.
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"These are things we need to put into perspective. And I think they need to change."
Now, Mbappe has pointed out similar issues circling the packed calendar, claiming that players ‘need more time for rest.’
What did Kylian Mbappe say?
After the completion of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, Mbappe was sidelined with gastroenteritis during the Club World Cup in June. Drawing from his personal experience, the France national team captain shared his opinion on the congested match schedules, asking for a ‘solution.
"I don't know if we're ready to play a 60-game season. I've seen many games in my experience, and I can't remember a player who has played a 60-game season at the highest level. Last season I had gastroenteritis, that kind of virus. I thought about it and my thinking has evolved: we need more time for rest, for vacations," as per GOAL.
"The answer is always that we're making a lot of money, 'play,' and that's why we play. I saw teams returning to training when we were still in the Club World Cup, so there's a problem. There is a problem. Everyone must find a solution. In the end, everyone will win. There will be higher-level matches. We love football and we love our jobs."
Mbappe and France are set to face Ukraine on September 5 at Wrocław Stadium, followed by their World Cup qualifier against Iceland on September 9 at Parc des Princes.