International football always brings up heated arguments when compared to club football during the break.
Rant Sport writer Joe Jones talks us through the positives and negatives when there is no top-flight domestic action.
Positives of the international break
The international break is refreshing and could be seen as an underrated part of the football calendar, offering a unique change of pace from the intensity of club competitions for match-going fans.
The lack of top-flight domestic football can also be seen as a positive for local non-league teams, as they may receive increased attendance and revenue.
Also, having a break from football can be a good thing. Supporting your own club for a full season is often stressful and can become overwhelming at certain points, so having a week or so off is the perfect antidote.
In an international tournament year, the breaks give a sense of how your country’s players are going to perform. Seeing a rich vein of form on the path to a World Cup or European Championship can give fans belief that their team can go deep into the competition.
Lifelong memories can be made during international breaks, with the likes of Scotland qualifying against Denmark with a halfway-line goal from Kenny McLean, and Ireland qualifying for the World Cup play-offs against Czechia, with Troy Parrott scoring a last-minute winner against Hungary.
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Negatives of the international break
The biggest drawback of international football is the level of importance it holds for some people.
Fans often place the importance of England above their own club, something I cannot fully comprehend, as there is nothing quite as special as seeing your own team lift a trophy.
Personally, I hold a stronger connection to my club than the England national team. This is due to factors such as upbringing and personal values, as well as prioritising my local team. Seeing them win anything would mean more than an international trophy victory.
Outside of major tournaments, the quality of many international matches is poor.
Having England in a group with the likes of San Marino in the past is largely pointless, running out 10-0 winners against players who have normal full-time jobs is a meaningless exercise for all involved.
The international calendar is also heavily scrutinised when the breaks come around, especially early in the season when domestic action has only just begun.
The football schedule is becoming increasingly congested, particularly with the addition of the Nations League, a competition many view as unnecessary.
Even take the 2022 World Cup for example – I love international tournament football because it actually means something, but the human rights record and staging of a World Cup mid-season so it could be accommodated in the middle east was outright disgusting.
Final thoughts
All in all, I enjoy international tournaments, and some of my favourite moments watching the sport have come from them.
However, it will never top seeing my own club win trophies, simply because I value supporting my club before my country.
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