Injury After Injury: Are Youngsters Overplayed In Today's Football World?

In the early 2000s, there was a lot more reliance on senior footballers and the youngsters were gradually introduced into the game becoming regulars only at the age of 20-23. However, the trend has changed in the current times and there is a lot more reliance on younger players.

The likes of Mbappe, Haaland, Vinicius, Pedri, Gavi, Bellingham, and many other names started their careers as mere teenagers while the likes of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Ansu Fati were already representing the club at the age of 16.

Though this means that the youngsters are becoming more skilled however this over-reliance is doing them more harm than good. Playing too many games means that the players are not getting enough time to relax their bodies, hence leading to injuries. Later down the line, these injuries could mean an early retirement from football.

During this international break alone, Vinicius, Haaland, Gavi, and Bellingham have suffered injuries. Gavi is expected to be out for the rest of the season whereas others will get re-introduced sooner and will probably be featured in every game as soon as they are fit.

Players have already called out the number of games being played in a calendar year. What are your thoughts on the situation?