Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji humorously suggested he might consider retiring by the time he turns 30 due to the ever-growing demands of top-tier football. The 29-year-old has already featured in seven games for both club and country this season.
His last appearance in the previous campaign was on July 6, when Switzerland exited Euro 2024, and just over a month later, on August 10, he kicked off the 2024-25 season in England’s Community Shield.
Next week, City are set to embark on their expanded Champions League journey, facing eight group-stage matches before the knockout rounds.
To cap off the season, they will also participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, a 32-team competition set to conclude with a final on July 13.
“It’s so tough,” Akanji said. “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.”
Akanji has played 48 club games in each of his two full seasons at City and is preparing for a similar workload this term.
“It’s just game after game and I don’t know how it will work out over the next couple of years,” he added. “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.”
Akanji’s feelings resonate with many players and the leading footballers’ union, FIFPRO.
In June, FIFPRO initiated legal action against FIFA, challenging the governing body’s authority to unilaterally determine the football calendar and its decision to introduce and schedule the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.