Manchester City's Rodri said players are "close" to going on strike in protest of the crowded soccer calendar, which has increasingly become a point of tension in the sport amid concerns about player welfare.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri says top soccer players are close to going on strike because of the number of games they are having to play. The Spain international said players are concerned about the way the game is headed as more games are added to the calendar in competitions like the Champions League,

Players could be close to strike action over the amount of games they are required to play, Manchester City midfielder Rodri warned on Tuesday on the eve of their Champions League opener against Inter Milan.