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The modern game of football is very physically demanding on players for a number of reasons.
The top clubs who go deep in European competitions typically play anything between 50-60 games in a season. Key players are required to feature in most of these games, and are sometimes needed to play as many as three in a week.
In other words, players need to be in optimum physical condition, as clubs cannot afford to lose their best players due to injuries. This becomes even more important at the business end of a season, as their game-plans tend to revolve around their best personnel.
Throw in international football to the mix, and players can have their hands full. They could end up playing over ten games in a year that features a major tournament like the World Cup, the European Championships or the Copa America.
5 fittest players in world football at the moment
Despite the unique physical demands posed by the modern game, some players who are key for both their club and country seldom break down due to their top-notch conditioning, rigorous training regimens and disciplined lifestyles.
On that note, let us have a look at five such players who regularly play club and international football without getting injured.
#5 Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona/France)
Antoine Griezmann is one of the fittest players in the game at the moment. The French striker, despite his indifferent club form, is a regular for both Barcelona and France.
The Frenchman has found the going tough since arriving at Barcelona last summer, and has netted only 19 times in 60 games in all competitions after scoring over 130 goals in 250 odd appearances for Atletico Madrid.
Griezmann's fortunes seem to be improving at Barcelona, though, as he has scored thrice in his last four La Liga games.
Nevertheless, he played all games in France's victorious Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, producing eight goal contributions (one goal, seven assists).
The 2018 World Cup-winning player was also a regular for Les Bleus in their recent campaign in the UEFA Nations League, as he scored three goals and registered an assist in six games to take France to the final of the competition.
#4 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan/Belgium)
One of the best centre-forwards in the game at the moment, Romelu Lukaku has made a blistering start to life at Inter Milan, and has scored an impressive 43 times in only 62 games since his arrival in Italy last summer.
He also happens to be one of the fittest players in the world, regularly turning up for both club and country with aplomb.
Last season, the exploits of the Belgian player helped Inter to a creditable second place in the Serie A - only a point adrift of champions Juventus. Lukaku has also flourished in European competitions, and has found the back of the net seven times in six games to take his club to the Europa League final.
Even in Belgium colours, Lukaku has been a standout performer. The Inter player has scored an impressive 57 times in 89 appearances, and has been key in Belgium's run to the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final as well as their successful Euro 2020 qualifying and Nations League campaigns.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly one of the best players to have graced the game. Needless to say, he also happens to be one of the fittest players despite being in his mid 30s.
During a stellar career, the Portugal captain has scored goals and won titles galore for club and country. Despite turning 35 earlier this year, Ronaldo continues to be a key player for both Juventus and Portugal.
The Juventus striker recently became the first European player and second overall to score a staggering 100 international goals.
Ronaldo has also made a blistering start to his 2020-21 campaign, as he has scored in each of his five Serie A games.
His impact at Juventus has been such that last season, the player scored almost 50% of his side's goals in the Bianconeri's victorious Serie A campaign. In the four games that he missed this season after contracting COVID-19, Juventus stumbled to draws against Hellas Verona, Crotone and Benevento and lost at home to Barcelona.
#2 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal)
Bruno Fernandes has been like a breath of fresh air at Manchester United, and has made a goal contribution almost every game.
Since his arrival at the club in January this year, the Portuguese player has almost singlehandedly lifted the fortunes of a mediocre team, helping them to a creditable third place in the Premier League last season.
Fernandes has also been one of the standout players for the English club this season - he has scored ten times in 14 games in all competitions while also providing four assists.
Fernandes has been a less prolific player for Portugal and has scored only twice in 25 games, but he has featured regularly for his country since his international debut three years ago.
The Manchester United star scored once in Portugal's victorious Euro 2020 qualifying campaign last year while also featuring in the country's UEFA Nations League campaign this year.
#1 Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool/Netherlands)
Georginio Wijnaldum has been a key player for Liverpool and Netherlands.
The Dutchman emerged from the shadow of his club and national team compatriot Virgil van Dijk by netting thrice in the Oranje's Nations League wins over Bosnia and Poland last month.
His exploits in international football has reportedly attracted the interest of a bevy of top clubs around the continent, something that is not music to Liverpool's ears.
The attacking midfielder may not have opened his account for the season, but he has already made 16 appearances for the club in all competitions, which is a testament to his impressive fitness.
Wijnaldum remains a key player in Jurgen Klopp's plans during what has been a difficult season for the club after the long-term injuries of Van Dijk and Joel Matip. Klopp recently said about the Dutch player:
“I am pretty happy with Gini. You can see that when you see most of the line-ups! He always played good, that’s why he played so many games. And he has played plenty of positions, different positions. He’s in a good moment, thank God! Long may it continue."
