Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe calls for more rest for players

Speaking ahead of France's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in Poland, Mbappe said the issue is not necessarily how many games are played, but rather the limited recovery time between them. "We just need a bit more rest, time off for our bodies to regenerate and recover from the number of matches we have to play," he told reporters.

Last season, Mbappe played an astonishing 59 matches for Real Madrid, from his debut in the UEFA Super Cup last August to the Club World Cup semifinal in July. In addition, he made six appearances for France during that period and returned to action in La Liga as the new season began in August. If France qualify for the World Cup, Mbappe faces the prospect of little significant rest until mid-July next year.

"I don't think we play too much anymore, but I understand why people watching at home might think that because we earn a lot of money, we should play," Mbappe admitted. He also highlighted how the introduction of competitions like the expanded Club World Cup and the packed football calendar has increased the demands on players.

"We were still playing in one season while some teams had already started the next season's friendly matches. I can't remember ever seeing a player, even the greatest, play 60 matches in a season and always be at their best," Mbappe said.

The expansion of international tournaments - including the World Cup increasing to 48 teams in 2026 and doubling in size again by 2030 - adds further strain on players. Despite the growing fixture list, Mbappe stressed that maintaining peak performance across such an intense schedule is near impossible.

Real Madrid players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, have recently voiced concerns over the saturated calendar. Mbappe echoed these sentiments, saying that consistency over a 60-game season is unrealistic. "There will always be games where you perform a little less," he explained.

Reflecting on last season, Mbappe recalled battling gastroenteritis and the challenges of a shortened preseason - just 19 days due to the Club World Cup's additional fixtures. "Last season was a total bewilderment," he said. "Teams were returning to training while we were still in the Club World Cup."

Looking ahead, Mbappe remains optimistic about the current campaign. He praised Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso and expressed enthusiasm for what lies ahead for his club and country. "There's everything necessary to do great things," he said.

As France prepare to face Ukraine and Iceland in their World Cup qualifiers, Mbappe's call for greater player rest highlights a growing debate about balancing commercial demands, fan expectations, and athlete welfare in modern football.