Thierry Henry has called upon FIFA and UEFA to engage in a meaningful discussion with current players to address the pressing issue of fixture congestion affecting player welfare.

The increase in competitive matches has led some players to participate in as many as 60 to 70 games each season, severely impacting their performance both in club contexts and international competitions. Henry noted that although he didn’t play as many matches in his career, he experienced the toll of a lengthy season.

“I’ve been in that situation, maybe not the number [of games] that those guys are reaching right now. I used to arrive in tournaments dead – mentally, physically,” Henry shared during a UEFA Champions League pre-match show.

He recounted arriving injured at major tournaments including the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, expressing concern about how players today prepare for crucial competitions.

The discussion extended to newly introduced competitions like the UEFA Nations League and FIFA’s Club World Cup, with Henry and fellow analyst Jamie Carragher expressing that these additions only exacerbate the existing problem.

“As a fan I’m tired,” Henry stated. “I didn’t watch the Club World Cup… It’s too much.”

He urged the current generation of players to advocate for themselves during this era of excessive scheduling, emphasizing that only they possess the authority to instigate real change.