Kevin De Bruyne hits out at FIFA and UEFA: ‘Money speaks louder than players' voices’

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has voiced his frustration over the increasing number of matches imposed by FIFA and UEFA, warning that it could lead to serious issues for players.

The Belgian midfielder believes that football’s governing bodies are prioritizing money over player welfare, leaving players with little time to rest and recover between seasons.

De Bruyne, one of the most prominent voices in football, has expressed concern about the growing strain on players due to the packed schedule.

With UEFA increasing the number of matches in the Champions League and Europa League group stages, and FIFA introducing a new 32-team Club World Cup format in 2025, the workload is only set to get heavier.

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‘It’s all about money,’ says De Bruyne

In a recent interview with L'Equipe, De Bruyne made it clear that the rising number of matches is unsustainable.

“The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in England and players' associations in other countries have tried to find solutions. The issue is that UEFA and FIFA are adding extra matches. We can try to say something, but there’s no solution. They don't care. It’s all about money.”

De Bruyne pointed out the tight turnaround between major competitions, highlighting how the new Club World Cup will leave players with just three weeks to rest before the start of the Premier League.

“We have three weeks for rest and preparation to play another 80 matches. Maybe this year will be fine, but there will be problems next year,” he warned.

As football’s calendar becomes more congested, players like De Bruyne continue to raise concerns, but it remains to be seen if FIFA and UEFA will address these growing issues.