Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri believes footballers are being asked to play too many games. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

It’s difficult to have any actual sympathy for professional football players, particularly those who ply their trade at the very best clubs in the very best leagues.

Take a top Premier League player as an example, who plays for say a Manchester City, a Liverpool or an Arsenal.

Their basic weekly salary is likely to be someone in the region of US$400,000. On top of that they will have a huge bonus structure written into their contracts and off-the-chart sponsorship deals with top sporting brands.

They’ll drive a flash, top-of-the-range car, live in a house big enough to comfortably sleep a small army and holiday at the very best resorts on the planet.

Personal chefs, private jets, designer clothes and a watch costing more than most people earn in a year.

And what do they have to do to live this lavish lifestyle? Play football, twice a week.

Sure, there’s training each day and they must always be in peak physical condition, but really and truly, they are just playing football for a living.

That’s why, taking all of the above into account, it’s hard to feel any sympathy for those elite stars when they complain they are being asked to play too many games.

This week, Manchester City superstar Rodri, one hell of a midfielder, said players are close to going on strike in protest at an increase in games.

City faced Inter Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League, with a new format adding at least two extra games before the knockout stage.

The Club World Cup - which Pep Guardiola's side are also involved in - has also expanded to 32 teams and will be held next summer.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has also voiced concerns, wanting to know why players themselves never get a say in how many games are played.

I can’t really argue with them. The demands are getting bigger and bigger, but going on strike? Really? I think that’s a step too far.

It’s particularly galling to talk about industrial action when junior doctors in the UK have just agreed a deal to end strike action after accepting a 22 per cent pay increase.

Rodri probably earns more in a day than a junior doctor would in a year.

Footballers have found themselves in a 'catch 22' situation. If they want to earn the big bucks and they are good enough, then they have to play for a top club.

And those top clubs who will be challenging to win every trophy possible are going to be playing far more games.

Sorry, Rodri, that’s just the nature of the beast. Deal with it. VNS