THIBAUT COURTOIS: SOCCER’S CALENDAR NEEDS REFORM

Thibaut Courtois on Soccer’s Growing Calendar Crisis
The relentless demands of modern soccer have prompted Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to call for urgent changes. In an interview with CNN, the Belgian star criticized the packed calendar and its impact on players, advocating for an NBA-style offseason to alleviate the physical and mental toll.
Courtois, who received the Player Career Award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, dismissed the argument that high salaries justify the relentless schedule. “The excuse of ‘you earn a lot of money’ has to stop,” he said. “You can also earn money playing 10 fewer games. The problem is the lack of rest.”
The Calendar Congestion Crisis
The issue came to a head earlier this year when soccer players’ unions challenged FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States next year. Critics argue that this tournament, coupled with other international competitions, violates players’ rights to an annual break.
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the calendar, citing the organization’s mission to fund global soccer development, Courtois expressed doubts about whether governing bodies are truly listening to players. “FIFPRO tries to protect us, but other organizations don’t consider the toll on players,” he said.
Taking Cues from the NBA
Courtois suggested that soccer could learn from the NBA, which has an intense eight-month schedule but provides players with two months of guaranteed rest in the offseason. “If players had two months off in summer, they could recover their bodies for one month and train for another,” he explained. “Without rest, injuries pile up.”
The Belgian also highlighted the strain on top players like Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who returned to Real Madrid just weeks after wrapping up grueling international schedules. “If you explain this to people in the NBA or NFL, they wouldn’t understand,” Courtois said.
International Fixture Overload
With the introduction of competitions like the UEFA Nations League and the expansion of tournaments such as the European Championship and World Cup, international games are more frequent than ever. Courtois argued that this constant cycle leaves no room for squad rotation or experimentation. “Every game is so important, and it adds more pressure on top players,” he noted.
Although Courtois has stepped away from the Belgian national team following a dispute, he expressed a desire to return and contribute in the future.
Club vs. Country and the Pursuit of Trophies
Despite the challenges, Courtois remains focused on success with Real Madrid. The revamped Champions League format, which adds more fixtures to the schedule, has earned his support for creating exciting, competitive matchups.
“We want to win everything possible, and that’s what is demanded of us at Real Madrid,” Courtois said.
As soccer’s calendar continues to expand, the call for reform grows louder. Will governing bodies and clubs prioritize player welfare, or will the game’s growing demands take precedence?
Read the full story here: Thibaut Courtois urges soccer to use NBA as reference point in calendar congestion crisis | CNN.