Hans Kraay junior slams Xavi's international break: heavy for Dutch

Hans Kraay junior, a columnist for, says that the recently extended international break is a failure, while UEFA has announced compensation of €3,833.15 per borrowed player. He points to four internationals that the international players had to complete in a short period and to the injury wave affecting the Oranje.

Too heavy international match load according to Kraay

Kraay junior says that the burden is simply too great for the internationals. He quotes: "What an incredible nonsense. For two and a half weeks top clubs from Europe have to let players they pay millions for run free and for nothing over the line for the national teams." According to him, the argument for his disgust lies with the players themselves.

The international break forced the players to complete four internationals in a short time. Kraay points out that a period of two and a half weeks leaves no room for recovery. He emphasizes that clubs invest millions in these players, while they have to play for free for the national team.

Injuries and overloading at the Oranje

During this international break the Oranje was heavily hit by injuries. Cody Gakpo, Brian Brobbey, Lutsharel Geertruida and Jan Paul van Hecke dropped out. Kraay notes: "Just to keep it to the Oranje: eighty to ninety percent of Xavi's selections are already on their last legs in tough competitions and midweek Champions League football."

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He adds that the players should get three days of rest now and then. Instead, they have to report to the new national coach Xavi, who, according to Kraay, "is as eager as the plague to have his playing style hammered into them as quickly as possible." Kraay cites Xavi’s second press conference: "the boys have trained very hard, amazing intensity."

UEFA compensation and Kraay’s final remarks

As a counterweight UEFA has announced compensation for clubs that release players for internationals. Aleksander Ceferin has determined that clubs will receive €3,833.15 per player. Those clubs get their players back, exhausted, after a draining international period.

Kraay concludes with a critical note: "We have all gone crazy. Congratulations!" He sees the compensation as a small bright spot amid a problematic situation. Yet he remains convinced that the current international structure is unsustainable.

The contrast between Kraay’s disapproval of the heavy schedules and the UEFA payment underscores the tension between sporting health and financial incentives. As long as the pressure on players continues, the debate over a balanced international period will remain unabated.