Professional football players are known for their strict and organized schedules which include intense physical training. To have a successful career, players need to juggle training, traveling, and intense matches, all while still managing their private life.
With all of these responsibilities, a balance between training and resting is important for players to stay on top of their game. Not only does rest help them keep their performance at a high level, but it also helps prevent injuries which is how players keep their careers going for a long time. But, let’s see how much rest they really get.
Time Off During the Season
During the football season, players’ schedules are full of matches, training, media events, and interviews. In all of this, teams still understand the need and importance of quality rest and add it to the player’s schedule. In most cases, players get one or two days off per week. They usually get a day off right after a match to give them time to rest and recover.
Next to these weekly breaks, there are specific periods where players can enjoy longer breaks. One of these periods is the international break. This happens a few times during the season when players who don’t have international commitments can take up to 10 days of rest to recharge and get ready for upcoming matches. In some ways, this is like spring break for footballers.
Don’t worry, they get winter breaks too. Mid-season holidays, often referred to as winter breaks, give the players another chance to enjoy their relaxation. For example, the English Premier League has a winter break in February which gives the players an opportunity to enjoy a two-week rest from matches. This break’s goal is to ensure that the players are still on top of their game, and to prevent burnout during the second half of the season.
Off-Season Break
The off-season is when the players get the chance to enjoy longer breaks. The off-season break usually lasts about two weeks starting immediately after a season is finished. The exact time of the break varies based on the league or international tournaments, but it generally lasts from six to eight weeks.
This break gives the players the time they need to recover from the jam-packed year of training and matches, but also mentally prepare for the next season, which might be even more challenging. In this period, players who might have suffered injuries have the chance to fully recover and return for the next season to show that they still got it.
What Football Players Do in Their Free Time
This is a question we all asked ourselves at some point, what is it exactly Ronaldo does with his free time? Well, we have a general idea of what most football players do with their free time, so let’s get into it.
All of these activities are important for keeping a healthy balance between football and private life. With this balance, the players stay motivated and engaged during the season.
Gaming
It might not surprise you to find out that many football players, as well as other athletes, are big fans of video games. As we all know, playing video games is a great way to unwind after a long day, and now imagine after a long football season for players.
Games like FIFA, Fortnite, or Call of Duty are popular games between players which give them a chance to compete differently. And who knows, maybe Ronaldo is an expert in Fortnite, and we just don’t know it.
Next to video games, iGaming is another example of how players spend their free time. They responsibly try their luck out to find slots with the highest payout in online casinos.
Family Time
One of the most important ways of spending their free time is by spending quality time with their family. With the nature of football, where players have to travel often and spend most of their time training, they need to make sure to spend as much time with family as possible.
Players will often use their time off to spend with their family on vacation, maybe family gatherings or just simple day-to-day activities that they wouldn’t be able to enjoy on their usual schedule during the season. Being away most of the time from family is hard, which is why you see that most players mention their families often or even share photos on socials with their loved ones.
Hobbies
Like everyone else, football players have their hobbies and interests. Some are interested in music, cooking, or any other hobby. For example, many football players like to travel, despite often already doing so. Travel as a hobby is completely different than traveling for work. Players like to travel with their significant others and explore new destinations and cultures while on holiday.
Maintaining Fitness During Time Off
Even though rest is important, professional football players, as well as any other athletes, can’t allow themselves to fall back on their fitness levels. Maintaining fitness is still important, even when on holiday. Players need to be ready to return for the next season, even better and stronger.
Most players have their training plans made by their fitness coaches. These plans often include different workouts, like strength training and flexibility exercises. Players also have the option to work with their personal coach if there is any area that might need more improvement and training.
Another important aspect of maintaining fitness and physical health is nutrition. Players have a detailed nutritional plan provided by their club to make sure that they stay on top of their game and to ensure that players get the necessary nutrients not only for performance but also for successful rest and recovery.
Final Thoughts
A professional football player’s life is a well-balanced mix of demanding physical work and needed rest. Time off is crucial for recovery, mental health, and general well-being, no matter whether it is during the season or off. Maintaining long-term success in one of the most demanding sports in the world requires this balance.