Man City star says he could be forced to retire from football at the end of the season

Manchester City star Manuel Akanji has joked that he may have to retire at the end of the season as part of a wider discussion about the current fixture schedule.

Akanji was speaking ahead of the return of the Champions League this week.

Europe's biggest club competition has undergone significant changes ahead of this season, with a new singular league phase format which will see clubs play eight games instead of six in the opening stage.

The increase in matches has added to growing concerns among players about the current fixture schedule.

There are also a further two international breaks in October and November respectively, meaning stars will be travelling across Europe or the world.

And Akanji has added his name to the list of players that want things to change.

And while he pointed out the possibility of early retirement this season, the Switzerland international did suggest that players will have to call time on their careers at an earlier point than they may like.

He began (quotes via ESPN): "It's so tough. You don't just think about this season, but also next season.

"Let's say we win the league or the cup, then go to the final of the Club World Cup. The Community Shield is three weeks after. So when do we have holidays?

"There are no breaks in winter, so if we are lucky we get two weeks and then we need to be back and into next season.

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"Then the next summer, it's the World Cup. There's no end to it. It's just game after game.

"I don't know how it will work out over the next couple of years. You can't just keep adding game after game and assuming everything will be like it was. You have to think about the players as well.

"At some point, you'll be too tired to play any more games. And then come injuries, definitely."

The City defender, who turns 30 next year, added: "We train as hard as possible and we are fit. But there has to be a limit. Maybe I'll retire at 30!"

Akanji has played 90 minutes in each of City's four Premier League matches this season.

He also featured in every minute of Switzerland's Nations League defeats to Spain and Switzerland during the recent international break.