Manchester City star Manuel Akanji has joking hinted at considering retirement due to an ever-expanding fixture schedule this season.
The row over games being added to the roster for the 2024/25 campaign has been a major talking point with FIFA and UEFA both coming in for criticism.
Players and coaches at top clubs have been outspoken on the issue, as they look to manage game loads, to protect key players for a busy season.
MORE: All the latest EPL club news | Team-by-team Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings
Changes to the UEFA Champions League mean two extra games added in, alongside three international breaks from the start of the season, until the end of 2024.
City will also compete in the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup next summer, with the gap narrowed to the the subsequent 2025/26 season, which is swiftly followed by the 2026 World Cup.
Akanji has been a vital part of City's success in recent seasons, with 127 games for club and country, since joining City two years ago this month.
The Swiss international has added his voice to the growing concern as City prepare to kickoff their Champions League campaign in midweek.
"It's so tough. You don't just think about this season - but also the next one. Let's say we win the league or a cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup, the Community Shield is three weeks after. When do we have holidays?", as per BBC Sport.
"There are no breaks in winter, if we're lucky we get two weeks off, and then we need to be back and into next season.
"Next summer it's the World Cup. There's no end to it! It's just game after game, I don't know how it will work out in the next couple of years.
"At some point you'll be too tired to play any more games. Maybe I'll retire at 30!"
City have started their Premier League campaign in superb style, as the only team to win their first four games of the campaign, with Akanji completing 90 minutes in all four.
Their Champions League campaign starts at home to Inter Milan on September 18 ahead of hosting Arsenal in league action four days later.
