A recent survey conducted by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has highlighted the significant toll that the fear of injury is taking on the mental health of football players. The survey, which included responses from over 1,000 male and female players last season, found that 68% of respondents identified this fear as having a substantial negative effect on their mental well-being.
The issue has gained attention following remarks by Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who expressed concerns about the increasing workload players face. Before suffering a season-ending injury, Rodri indicated that players were “close” to going on strike due to the pressures brought on by congested match schedules.
In addition to injury concerns, 28% of those surveyed said that online abuse had a detrimental impact on their mental health.
Dr. Michael Bennett, PFA director of player well-being, addressed the challenges many players face, stating that football “is an incredibly insecure career for many.” He pointed to short-term contracts and a lack of control over their futures as factors contributing to mental health issues.
“Our survey shows that ‘on-pitch’ issues, like injury and performance, can severely affect footballers’ mental health,” Bennett explained. “This process is vital for us to understand the person behind the player, and we’re encouraged that players trust us with their concerns.”
The PFA is currently involved in two legal challenges against FIFA, football’s governing body, regarding what they see as inadequate consultation over the increasingly packed fixture calendar.
Rodri’s comments about the possibility of player strikes have sparked further discussion. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola supported the call for change, stressing that any revisions to the schedule should prioritize the players’ needs. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca echoed these sentiments, agreeing that the current schedule is too demanding.
A recent report established that a ‘red line’ for player welfare is a maximum of 50 to 60 matches per season, depending on a player’s age. Rodri played 63 matches for club and country last season, exceeding this threshold.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that players might need breaks during the season to handle the heavy fixture load.
Aside from the fear of injury, 45% of survey respondents expressed concerns about on-pitch performance, while 41% worried about being dropped from the team. Additionally, off-pitch issues such as alcohol use (17%) and gambling (15%) were identified as leading factors affecting players’ well-being.
As part of its efforts to address these concerns, the PFA has carried out club visits, resulting in 330 well-being interventions, including 60 direct referrals for therapeutic support. The union also collaborates with the Sporting Chance clinic, through which 530 current and former players received mental health support.
This growing focus on mental health underscores the importance of creating a safer, more balanced environment for professional footballers.
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