Despite captivating global audiences, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has sparked controversy over field conditions and weather. Furthermore, FC Barcelona’s Raphinha, even with his team not participating, has voiced pointed criticism of the event.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has captured the attention of fans worldwide, with several CONMEBOL clubs emerging as standout performers, advancing to the Round of 16. Despite the thrilling competition, the condition of the soccer fields and the sweltering temperatures have faced significant criticism. Adding to the controversy, FC Barcelona star Raphinha, though not participating in the tournament, voiced strong criticism, sparking a wide array of reactions.
“It’s really bad to give up vacations to play, obligated, a tournament. At no time did they ask the players about the dates or if they wanted to play. They simply said, ‘You have to go and that’s it’… It’s very complicated for us to have to give up our vacation, because it’s our right. Everyone deserves at least three weeks or a month’s vacation. A lot of people who are in the World Cup won’t get it,” Raphinha stated, as reported by AFP.
While not many injuries have occurred within the tournament, some players have not enjoyed their usual month-long break. Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo exemplify this issue. After being crowned UEFA Champions League champions, they joined their national team for the CONMEBOL Qualifiers. Then, they moved directly to the Club World Cup without a proper break. This situation highlights the need for greater consideration of athletes’ well-being in future events.
In previous seasons, serious injuries such as ACL tears took center stage, highlighting the dangers of a heavy match load. This tournament, instead of mitigating these risks, increases them and further exposes players to extreme heat. Despite their status as high-performance athletes, the overload of matches has drawn strong criticism. Head coaches, including Pep Guardiola, have voiced their concerns and attributed the high injury rate to this intense schedule.
PSG’s unexpected strategy to handle fatigue at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
After securing the UEFA Champions League title, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves with barely any downtime before taking on the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. According to the French publication L’Equipe, head coach Luis Enrique approached the tournament with a relaxed philosophy, dubbing it a vacation camp.
Despite this relaxed environment, the team remains committed to the tournament. The team trains each morning, leaving afternoons free for recreation. Players can enjoy beach outings or other activities. Additionally, the coaching staff encourages family members to join, which eases mental and physical stress. Even star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma noted that these relaxing moments are pivotal, helping in building team cohesion and winning trophies.
From: bolavip.com
