This is a study which could serve as a basis for the demands of footballers’ unions. The CIES Football Observatory website published this Wednesday a report on time on the pitch player by player. Rather enlightening on the pace imposed by European and global authorities.
We learn that the most sought-after outfield player of the year 2024 is a renowned French defender, a certain Jules Koundé. Reliable player par excellence, who became a member of Didier Deschamps in Blue, author of a successful Euro, after also winning in Catalonia, the former Bordeaux player played 5,872 minutes in the space of 69 matches. That’s 85 minutes per match. Also a match every 4.4 days (removing the cutoff months in June and July).
Fluminense’s Colombian Jhon Arias and Real Madrid’s Uruguayan Federico Valverde complete the podium. We find other renowned players just after: the Dutch Virgil van Dijk (33.4 years), the Argentinian Nicolás Otamendi (36.8 years) and the Swiss Granit Xhaka (32.2 years).
The second Frenchman in this top 20 is William Saliba, another defender (5,264 minutes and 59 games). He is the youngest player in this ranking.
In Ligue 1, the podium is made up of Jonathan David (Losc), Achraf Hakimi (PSG) and Moïse Bombito (OGC Nice). In terms of matches played, we unsurprisingly find many Parisian players (six in the top 10), given their participation in various club competitions (Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Champions League, Champions Trophy) and selection .
