Manchester City defender aims to retire at the age of 30
2 min read
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, thinks about retirement from football next year after UEFA announces the new Champions League format.
UEFA have implemented the new rules which state that teams will play eight fixtures each before the knockout rounds get underway.
Even this upcoming summer teams across the global will be participating in World Club Cup and African continent will have four clubs representing the country.
Amongst the club’s at overseas are Manchester City, Real Madrid just to name few clubs.
Akanji has capped in 96 caps for Man City in the previous two campaign and has featured in all four of their Primeir League games so far in this campaign.
Pep Guardiola together with his troops will be facing another tough test on Wednesday when they will be challenging Inter Milan for uefa champion league.
Akanji said “It’s getting more complicated with the league. You play different teams, and then Inter don’t have the same opponents as us. It’s just got bigger, more games.
“Then we have the Club World Cup at the end of the season. It’s just game after game and I don’t know how it will work out over the next couple of years.
“It’s so tough, you don’t just think about this season, but also next season. When do we do holidays? There are no breaks in winter.”
Akanji still have contract that will expire in 2027 at Etihad, has turned 29 years old in 29th July.
He went on to highlight the lack of rest amongst the European players and he highlighted that they suffer from burnout and mental fatigue.
Akanji said “If we are lucky we get two weeks (next summer) and then we need to be back and into next season. There’s no end to it. I don’t know how it works out. Maybe I’ll retire at 30.”
Akanji was signed from Borussia Dortmund two years ago for what now appears a world record of £15million fee.
Since he arrived at Etihad Stadium the Swiss international has managed to won almost all trophies with the clubs such as Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Akanji said “I’m looking forward to it, even with the new format. I think the old one was better but we go up against the best teams still and we start with a great game against Inter. The last time we played them was in the 2023 final, so good memories for us.”
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
