Midfielder Bernardo Silva has joined Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne in criticising the number of matches that players are being forced to participate in.
The City ace made the admission following Portugal's 1-1 draw against Spain in their first outing of their UEFA Nations League campaign in Seville on Thursday night. Bernardo played the full 90 minutes, meaning he has now made 58 appearances for club and country this season.
As the World Cup in Qatar will take centre stage in November and December later this year, the international fixture calendar has been impacted, with most European nations having to fulfil four Nations League fixtures between now and the middle of June. The 2022/23 Premier League campaign kicks-off a week earlier than usual to accommodate the World Cup, too, meaning extra demands are being put on players.