A Promise on the Brink of Collapse

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal is already a global sensation. But his brilliance also symbolizes a growing problem in modern football: fixture overload. The FC Barcelona winger was injured in September while on duty with Spain’s national team, reigniting the debate between club and federation over player workload.

According to FIFPRO’s latest workload report, the young star has already played 130 professional matches and logged 9,772 minutes — nearly double what Xavi, Iniesta, or Fàbregas had at his age. He’s even accumulated 31% more minutes than Jude Bellingham at 18. The conclusion is clear: football is pushing its new generation of stars to the breaking point.

A Widespread Problem Among the Elite

Lamine is not alone. Federico Valverde played 72 matches and 6,676 minutes last season, while Rodri of Manchester City racked up 135 games in two years, ending with a torn ligament. Pedri, another Barça standout, played 69 consecutive matches without proper recovery time.

“When there are so many games, you lose interest — and you risk your health,” warned Jules Koundé, echoing a sentiment shared across dressing rooms.

Los expertos lanzan una advertencia

El estudio de FIFPRO, basado en más de 1.500 futbolistas y 70 médicos independientes, recomienda 28 días de descanso completo entre temporadas, pero solo el 14% de los jugadores europeos lo cumple. “A veces nadie pregunta nuestra opinión, pero todos estamos hartos”, denunció Alisson Becker, del Liverpool.

Incluso Pep Guardiola comparó la situación con la NBA: “Ellos juegan mucho, pero luego descansan cuatro meses. Aquí el ritmo es inhumano”.

Una alarma con nombre propio

Las advertencias de Marcelo Bielsa resuenan hoy con más fuerza: “Ignorar las consecuencias terminará lesionando a cualquiera”. Y Lamine Yamal ya es prueba viviente de ello.

El fútbol lo convirtió en símbolo de una generación brillante… pero agotada.