The latest annual player workload report released by the International Federation of Professional Football Players (FIFPRO) shows that football is facing serious problems of overwork and insufficient protection. The report takes Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, who participated in the Club World Cup as an example, pointing out that their players' pre-season preparation time has been compressed to an astonishing 13 days and 7 days respectively, far below the expert's recommended minimum standards for the 28-day offseason plus 28-day preparation period.

This situation is not an isolated case. Data shows that only 14% of European Cup participants and 9% of American Cup participants (playing in the top five European leagues) have received enough offseason. In contrast, NBA and AFL players enjoy a 14-week holiday.

The crowded schedule and long-distance travel further exacerbates the health risks of players. The report named several players who played more than 50 games last season, such as Real Madrid's Valverde and Modric, Barcelona's Pedri and Rafinia, Atletico Madrid's Alvarez and Bayern's Kim Min-jae, who played an average of 3.6 days in 73 days and fought with injuries most of the time. Argentina international Enzo traveled a total mileage of 149,000 kilometers last season (about three laps around the earth). The report also specifically warned young players of huge risks. Yamal, who is only 18 years old, has made a total of 130 appearances. Experts stress that excessive game load may cause long-term structural damage and psychological loss to young players.