Clubs need money, national teams need money – Simeone speaks out on biennial World Cup

Diego Simeone claims players and coaches are powerless as FIFA chiefs push for the World Cup to take place every two years.

The Atletico Madrid head coach spoke on the matter on Saturday, a day ahead of his team’s clash with early LaLiga leaders Real Sociedad.

Simeone, who played at three World Cups for Argentina, says the power-brokers in the modern game are not those who are directly involved in games, but those with balance sheets as the priority.

“As much as one may comment on the proposed situation, the final decision is not for the players or the coaches,” he said.

“I put myself in the position of a player of mine; I would always go to play with my national team, it is difficult to say ‘no’ to him.

“People who have to make decisions manage badly in the eyes of the players, they are getting worse and worse. But I am not going to put myself in something that cannot be changed.

“We can complain, express anger, protest, but television rules, money rules, clubs grow, clubs need money, national teams need money.

“We are in the middle, we can protest, complain, but life is like that for everyone.”

The King of Football turns 81 today.

Join us in wishing the one and only @Pele the happiest of birthdays. pic.twitter.com/0JTf6u0Asx

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 23, 2021

FIFA head of global development Arsene Wenger is leading the push for more World Cups in both the men’s and women’s games, but there has been major pushback from UEFA and CONMEBOL, the European and South American confederations, plus players’ union umbrella group FIFPRO.

A number of coaches and players, on an individual basis, have also criticised the plans.

Simeone can see why switching the World Cup from a tournament that takes place every four years could hold appeal, purely on the premise it represents the peak of a player’s career.

“As a player I would have liked to play a World Cup every year. That’s normal,” he added. “As a coach we obviously prefer to have the players.”