“It is the only way to be heard” - Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets tells players to go on strike
Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets claimed that players will have to refuse to play games with concerns rising over the increasing rate of fixtures. The Inter Miami defensive midfielder suggested that a strike would be the only way the players would be heard.
The increase in the number of games has proven to be a point of contention for many players. Top stars including Manchester City's Rodri, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, and Liverpool's Alisson Becker have echoed the same concerns.
Busquets told BeSoccer:
“If the players decide to go on strike, it will be necessary to do so. It is the only way to be heard. Otherwise, it is like not having a voice or a vote and it is worrying,” said the former midfielder as quoted by BeSoccer.
The increase of the Champions League group stage from six to eight games, the growth of the Club World Cup to a 32-team tournament at the end of the season, and increased international fixtures have all added to the rising number of fixtures.
Latest Barcelona signing opens up on first-team opportunities
New Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny acknowledged that he is not a guaranteed starter for the Spanish giants. The Polish shotstopper has come out of retirement to join Barca on a one-year deal following Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury.
Szczesny said (from Foot Truck via Spanish outlet Sport):
“I have no guarantee that I will be number one in goal. I’m not number one today. And I won’t be number one next week either because I still need some time.”
“In football, there are no guarantees to play in the first team. First, you have to fight for a starting place, and then you have to keep it,” he added.
Ter Stegen suffered a season-ending knee injury in the side's win over Villarreal in La Liga on September 22. The German landed awkwardly after a corner and is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign.
Backup option Inaki Pena stepped in for the rest of the game and has started each of Barcelona's next three fixtures. However, the 25-year-old does not have much experience at the top level, playing just 26 games for the side since 2022.
Szczesny was last with Serie A side Juventus. He made 35 league appearances for the Bianconeri last season, helping them keep 15 clean sheets before playing two games for Poland in the 2024 Euros.