Ander Herrera and Mesut Ozil have led the player backlash over plans for a new European Super League.
It was revealed on Sunday that the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - would join six other teams - AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid - in forming a new midweek competition.
The plans have been met with outrage within and outside of football, and players are the latest to voice their dismay.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ozil, who now plays for Fenerbahce, tweeted on Monday: “Kids grow up dreaming to win the World Cup and the Champions League - not any Super League.
“The enjoyment of big games is that they only happen once or twice a year, not every week.
“Really hard to understand for all football fans out there.”
Former Manchester United midfielder and now Paris Saint-Germain player Herrera also spoke out.
He tweeted: “I fell in love with popular football, with the football of the fans, with the dream of seeing the team of my heart compete against the greatest.
“If this European super league advances, those dreams are over, the illusions of the fans of the teams that are not giants of being able to win on the field competing in the best competitions will end.
“I love football and I cannot remain silent about this, I believe in an improved Champions League but not in the rich stealing what the people created, which is nothing other than the most beautiful sport on the planet.”
