Image Credit - @jkeey4/ Instagram

“We’re Not Machines” – Barcelona Defender Jules Kounde Becomes the Latest Player to Call Out Hectic Fixture Scheduling

Jules Kounde criticizes La Liga officials, insisting that "players are not machines."

Image Credit - @jkeey4/ Instagram

Every time players go on an international break, there are concerns about them coming back fit. Despite many injuries every year, the schedule keeps getting busier.

Barcelona is the latest club to suffer due to the busy modern schedule. Dani Olmo picked up a muscular injury during Barcelona’s game against Osasuna and had to be subbed off. Following their 3-0 win, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde said their fixture date was not normal.

Playing just days after returning from the international break, the Frenchman called on the authorities to be more considerate. Manager Hansi Flick, who had been raising concerns about injuries all week, was visibly frustrated after Olmo’s injury.

MEDICAL NEWS | Tests conducted this morning have confirmed that first-team player Dani Olmo has a right adductor injury. He is expected to be out for around three weeks. pic.twitter.com/hxyTghGDib
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 28, 2025

Speaking in the post-game conference, Kounde pointed out being fortunate to play, he told DAZN:

“We’re angry about the date of the game. It’s not normal”.

“We’ve said it many times, the calendar issue. I know sometimes there are people who have a hard time understanding it”.

“We’re very lucky to do what we do, I consider myself fortunate. To live off our passion and live well. But it’s disrespectful to the club to set this date”.

Kounde expressed that institutions need to understand that players are humans at the end of the day. Calling the neglection of their voices disrespectful, he added:

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Barça, Osasuna, or Real Madrid when it happens. It’s disrespectful to the players. We’re not machines, and to produce the game we produce and to give the fans what they want, we need a rest”

“All institutions have to understand that, not just La Liga. They can’t set dates that come their way… we don’t want to make excuses, that’s not what we do”

ALSO READ: Jamie Carragher on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid Links: ‘Players Come and Go, They also Get Replaced’

As per a CIES report, players appear in 22.7 games more in 2025 compared to 2015. While the figure for average figures has stayed consistent, the upper limit for top-tier players has grown widely. This has sparked debates about player welfare, performance quality, and the viability of such demanding schedules.

Harry Kane and Bayern Munich director raised the same issue following Alphonso Davies’ injury at the International Break.

If the institutions change protocols or not is a far-fetched question. However, the pattern of injuries through International breaks has made it obvious what is the raising concern.

Barcelona

Jules Kounde

La Liga

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!