Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has reignited a growing debate in football, attacking FIFA and UEFA for what he called an escalating international duty injury crisis that is harming clubs across Europe. His frustration intensified after midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa joined a long list of players sidelined following time away with their national teams.
The international duty injury crisis has become one of the biggest talking points of the season, with clubs repeatedly losing key players to injuries sustained outside domestic competitions. De Laurentiis’ comments reflect the concerns of many top-flight managers who feel that the workload placed on footballers has reached breaking point.
Napoli Hit Hard as Anguissa Joins Growing List of Casualties
Anguissa’s hamstring injury, suffered during training with Cameroon, is the latest setback in what De Laurentiis believes is an unfair burden caused by the international duty injury crisis. The midfielder had been one of Napoli’s standout performers, scoring four goals in Serie A and playing in 10 of the club’s 11 league matches. His absence for several months is a major blow to Antonio Conte’s evolving side.
Only weeks ago, defender Amir Rrahmani suffered a similar hamstring issue while representing Kosovo, forcing him out until early November. For De Laurentiis, these repeated losses prove that the international duty injury crisis has reached an unacceptable level.
“I loaned Rrahmani, and he came back in a wreck. Anguissa came back in a wreck. We can’t go on like this,” he told GOAL, arguing that clubs deserve more control and compensation when players are injured under their national teams’ supervision.
De Laurentiis Calls for Drastic Changes to Protect Clubs
The Napoli president insists that FIFA and UEFA must address the growing international duty injury crisis by reducing the calendar and giving clubs more authority over their players’ availability. His proposed reforms include limiting the number of matches, reopening a transfer window for injury replacements and compensating clubs financially when players return injured.
“Players earn a salary from their clubs,” De Laurentiis stressed. “Clubs should decide whether or not to send players to national teams. When a player gets injured on international duty, we should be compensated.”
His comments echo the complaints of several managers across Europe who believe that the demands of international football no longer reflect the physical strain on modern players.
Yamal Situation Highlights Tensions in Spain During the International Duty Injury Crisis
The international duty injury crisis is not limited to Italy. Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal became the centre of controversy when he pulled out of Spain’s November squad due to injury issues. The RFEF expressed “surprise” after Barcelona conducted his medical treatment without prior notice.
A statement from the federation said: “Given this situation, and prioritising the health and well-being of the player, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has made the decision to release the athlete from the current call-up.”
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente had included Yamal because he believed the forward to be in “perfect condition,” but the ongoing situation once again highlights the fragile relationship between clubs and national associations in the midst of the international duty injury crisis.
PSG Also Affected as Dembele Injury Stirs Tension in France
In France, the international duty injury crisis has deepened with Paris Saint-Germain losing Ousmane Dembele for several weeks after he returned from national team duty. Didier Deschamps left him out of the latest squad following his injury, adding further strain to relations between PSG and the French FA.
This pattern of conflict paints a clear picture: elite clubs are increasingly losing patience with the level of risk associated with releasing players during congested international periods.
Napoli’s Title Defence Faces Pressure Amid Injury Problems
Napoli’s strong start to their Serie A title defence has slowed in recent weeks. The champions have now gone two league games without a win and sit fourth in the table after a disappointing loss to Bologna. Inter Milan have overtaken them and now lead the standings with 24 points—two more than Napoli.
With the team already showing signs of fatigue, the international duty injury crisis could not have come at a worse time. Conte needs stability, but repeated injuries are disrupting his plans ahead of a crucial clash against Atalanta on November 22.
A Growing Problem That Football Cannot Ignore
The international duty injury crisis has become a defining issue of the modern game. Players are covering more distance, playing more minutes and facing more travel than at any point in football’s history. According to industry data, match congestion has increased by more than 20% since 2015, leaving players more vulnerable to muscle injuries—many of which occur during international breaks.
Clubs like Napoli, Barcelona, and PSG are pushing for structural changes, and De Laurentiis’ comments reflect a sentiment that is spreading across Europe. As long as elite players continue to suffer injuries during international duty, the calls for reform will only grow louder.
