I soccer players are increasingly affected by injuries, and while there is a debate about whether the number of games is excessive, the c emergesthe salty shame that injuries present, both for the health of the players and for the finances of the clubs. TheInjury Index 2024, published by the insurance broker howden, paints a worrying picture for European men's football.
During the 2023-2024 season, the five major European championships (Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1) have recorded a total of 4.123 injuries, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year. This alarming trend has led clubs and professionals to question the physical sustainability of footballers, especially the youngest, in an increasingly congested calendar.
An injury every 92 minutes: the growing cost for clubs
During the 2023-2024 season, in the main European leagues, a injury every 92 minutesi, practically one per game (0,97). This led to the total cost for clubs to 732,02 million euros, marking a 5% increase compared to the previous season. Overall, in the last four seasons, the 96 clubs have suffered over 14.292 injuries, for a total expenditure of 2,3 billion euros.
Congestion of matches: an alarm that cannot be ignored The exponential increase in injuries is closely linked to the congestion of the football calendar, which forces players to make increasingly heavy physical efforts. Several players and coaches have raised the alarm, with some even threatening strikes if a solution is not found. The concern is not only about the increase in injuries, but also their severity, especially for younger players.
Serie A: The Weight of Injuries on Italian Teams
La Serie A is no exception compared to other major European leagues. Here too, the number of injuries is in constant increase, with the exception of teams like Fiorentina and Sassuolo, who seem to resist this trend.
Il Napoli and the Milan are the teams that have recorded the highest number of injuries, with 50 each in the 2023-2024 season. Juventus, despite recording 45 injuries, had to deal with the higher costs, which amount to over 10,16 million euros. This, however, represents a significant reduction compared to the previous season, when the cost was almost double (19,34 million euros).
Il Cagliari, despite the highest number of injuries (32) among the teams fighting for survival, managed to avoid relegation. Verona, instead, supported the lower expenses for injuries in Serie A, with only 0,8 million euros spent.
Premier League: A High-Cost Championship
La English Premier League holds a sad record: the 44% of total costs for injuries in the five major European leagues comes from here. In the 2023-2024 season, there were 915 injuries, for a total cost of 318,8 million euros.
Some English clubs, such as Newcastle United, Manchester United e Chelsea, have had a consistently above-average injury rate over the last four seasons. On the other hand, teams like Wolverhampton and the Crystal Palace have managed to keep injury levels below average.
La frequency of injuries has been particularly high, with clubs suffering an injury every 94 minutes of play, costing 3.698 euro per minute.
Accidents across Europe: frequency and costs
In the 2023-2024 season, the average number of injuries in the five major European leagues was 0,97 per game, with an average cost per match of 172.975 euros. Some clubs, such as Darmstadt in the Bundesliga, they recorded a injury every 33 minutes, while Toulouse, in Ligue 1, had the best interval between injuries, with one every 338 minutes.
Even prestigious teams like the Bayern Munich and the Borussia Dortmund have not been free from injuries. Both clubs have suffered high costs, with injury rates well above the Bundesliga average.
Young Footballers Under 21: The Risk Grows
One of the biggest concerns raised by the report is theIncreased severity of injuries among Under-21 footballersIn the 2023-2024 season, Premier League Under-21 players were sidelined by injury for an average of 44 days, an increase of 187% compared to the 2020-2021 season.
The in Italy, young footballers have recorded an increase in the severity of injuries, with an average period of absence of 35,16 days in Serie A. The data highlights the increasing physical pressure to which young talents are subjected, many of whom have not yet completed their physical development.
The increase in injuries, both in terms of frequency and severity, especially among young footballers, underlines theUrgency to rethink the football calendar and improve athlete health management. Without targeted interventions, clubs will face ever-increasing costs, while the risks to players' careers will increase.
“Our data captures the demands and risks of modern football, including in the Italian league, with individual clubs suffering up to 50 injuries in a season and costs of up to €10 million. I also want to highlight the alarm over the increasing severity of injuries to younger players in Serie A. We hope that the data from the report will serve as a valuable tool for players, clubs and governing bodies in their ongoing assessments. At Howden, we remain committed to supporting clubs and players by offering innovative insurance solutions and data-driven strategies to mitigate the rising costs and frequency of injuries,” he said. Federico Casini, Group CEO Howden in Italy.
“The Howden Men's European Football Injury Index 2023/24 highlights the increasing physical demands on players. As fixture congestion intensifies and domestic and international competitions expand, we are seeing more players sidelined for longer periods, resulting in a significant 5% increase in injury costs this season alone,” he commented. James burrows, Head of Sport of howden.
