According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday November 10, 2026, Real Madrid medical supervisor Dr Niko Mihic has warned that football authorities must do more to protect professional players, insisting that their health should take priority over the increasingly demanding football calendar.

The Croatian doctor believes modern footballers are being exposed to unnecessary physical risks because of the growing number of matches, with insufficient recovery time between competitions.

Speaking to AS, Mihic expressed his concerns about the situation, calling for fewer fixtures and greater consideration for the physical wellbeing of players.

“One of the biggest problems we clubs have to face is the lack of adequate rest, due to playing continuously,” he said.

Mihic went further by making a striking comparison about the demands placed on professional footballers.

“If our footballers were racehorses, we'd be facing protests over animal cruelty for making them run all the time,” he explained.

The Real Madrid medical chief believes the football calendar has become increasingly difficult for players to manage, with domestic leagues, cup competitions, European tournaments and international fixtures leaving little room for proper recovery.

He also insisted that the situation requires greater attention from football authorities.

“Here, nobody protests; it's just one match after another, one on top of the other, without anyone asking how the player is doing. We need to raise awareness,” Mihic added.

He made it clear that reducing the number of matches should become a priority if football is to protect the long-term health of its biggest stars.

“We must prioritise the player's health over competition by reducing the number of matches and allowing more rest. We need to empower the footballer.

“Our sport is built on the player's health, and we must put health before competition,” he concluded.

Beyond fixture congestion, Mihic also discussed the importance of medical technology in improving player welfare at Real Madrid.

He revealed that the club has adopted medical practices from other sports, particularly American football, where doctors have developed extensive experience in dealing with head injuries.

According to Mihic, NFL medical professionals have valuable knowledge about concussions, which European football can use to improve its own approach to protecting players.

He also highlighted the importance of monitoring sleep quality, explaining that the duration and depth of sleep are essential factors in recovery and injury prevention.

Real Madrid are using modern medical technology to monitor these areas and ensure their players receive appropriate recovery support.

The doctor also revealed that research into the effects of repeated heading in football is progressing, with UEFA and FIFA investigating what are known as concussive events or sub-concussions.

He believes new medical developments, including blood markers for head trauma and portable electroencephalograms, could help doctors identify potential injuries more effectively.

Mihic also acknowledged that advances in sports medicine have helped athletes extend their careers.

He mentioned Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Fernando Alonso and Tom Brady as examples of athletes who have continued competing at the highest level beyond the age previously considered normal for elite performers.

He attributed this development to improvements in surgery, injury treatment and rehabilitation, which have made it possible for athletes to recover from serious setbacks more effectively.

However, he believes more research is still needed in certain areas, particularly the difference in anterior cruciate ligament injuries between male and female athletes.

Mihic claimed that women suffer up to eight times as many ACL injuries as men, admitting that the reasons behind the difference are not yet fully understood.