Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has humorously suggested that he might have to retire at 30 due to the relentless fixture schedule.
The 29-year-old has already played 127 games for both club and country since joining City two years ago this month.
This season, the Switzerland centre-back has made seven appearances, including in the Community Shield and two Nations League matches.
His last game of the previous season was on July 6, when England eliminated Switzerland from the European Championship.
Akanji is set to be part of the City squad as they kick off their campaign in the expanded Champions League against Inter Milan on Wednesday – a rematch of the 2023 final.
City’s Champions League group stage includes eight initial games, with fixtures against Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others.
Depending on their performance, they might face additional play-offs before reaching the last 16.
In addition to their European commitments, City will also compete in the 32-team Club World Cup in the United States, which concludes on July 13.
This is just four weeks before the anticipated start of the 2025-26 Premier League season, which will be followed by the World Cup.
“It’s so tough,” said Akanji.
“You don’t just think about this season – but also next season.
‘Let’s say we win the league or cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup; the Community Shield is three weeks after.
“So when do we have holidays?
“There are no breaks in winter, so if we are lucky we get two weeks and then we need to be back and into next season.
“Then the next summer it’s the World Cup. There’s no end to it.”
“It’s just game after game and I don’t know how it will work out over the next couple of years,” Akanji continued.
“You can’t just keep adding game after game and assume everything will be like it was.
“You have to think about the players as well.
“At some point you’ll be too tired to play any more games.
“And then come injuries, definitely.
“We train as hard as possible and we are fit – but there has to be a limit.
“Maybe I’ll retire at 30!”
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