MANCHESTER, England — A recent report has revealed that the escalating frequency of injuries among elite soccer players incurred costs nearing $800 million across Europe’s major leagues last season.
As concerns mount regarding the demanding schedules that players face, the Men’s European Football Injury Index highlighted that there were 4,123 recorded injuries in the top divisions of England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France during the 2023-24 season.
This financial impact was assessed based on the salaries of the affected players.
The report draws attention to the increased pressure on clubs, particularly due to the expanded Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States next year.
Since the index’s inception in 2021, injuries have risen annually, and the latest findings suggest that this upward trend is expected to continue.
“The depth of squad among clubs will be increasingly challenged, especially with the impending launch of the new FIFA Men’s Club World Cup in 2025,” the report stated.
Produced by sports insurance company Howden, this index was released just a day after a players’ union and European leagues lodged a complaint with the European Union against FIFA.
The Club World Cup has faced ongoing criticism related to player welfare, particularly after the announcement of its expanded format, which increases participation from seven to 32 teams.
Last month, Manchester City midfielder Rodri expressed that players were considering a strike due to the increased demands placed on them, particularly with the additional Champions League fixtures this season.
Ironically, he sustained a season-ending knee injury shortly after making those remarks.
The football injury index has observed a rise in injuries even prior to the announced expansions of the Club World Cup and Champions League.
Since the 2020-21 season, the index recorded 14,292 injuries (excluding those related to COVID-19) across the top five European leagues, costing clubs $2.5 billion based on reported player salaries.
Last season alone accounted for a staggering $798 million.
On average, there was an injury reported every 92 minutes during matches involving these teams.
German teams were noted to have the highest injury rates per game, averaging 1.72 injuries. They claimed all 13 of the top positions for injury susceptibility, contributing to 15 of the top 20 places overall.
Meanwhile, the teams that demonstrated the least likelihood of injuries were all from the French league, occupying the top four spots.
The report also pointed out a “concerning trend” regarding younger players under the age of 21, who are experiencing an increase in serious injuries.