'Very dangerous' - Enzo Fernandez reveals he nearly fainted during Chelsea's Club World Cup clash with Fluminense due to extreme weather conditions

The Argentine midfielder required medical attention after experiencing dizziness in the sweltering heat at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday. The incident raised eyebrows, with many questioning the wisdom of hosting high-stakes matches in such extreme weather.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference on Friday, Fernandez did not mince words when reflecting on his experience.

"Thank you for asking that question, because honestly, the heat is incredible," he said. "The other day, I got a bit dizzy during a play and had to go down to the ground. Playing in this kind of temperature is very dangerous."

Fernandez added that it wasn’t just the players who suffered; the quality of football and the overall spectacle also took a hit.

“Especially for the spectacle as well, for the people who come to enjoy the game at the stadium, and for those watching at home. The pace of the game isn’t the same; everything slows down a lot,” he added.

With FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup already under scrutiny for adding pressure to a packed football calendar, Fernandez used the opportunity to urge the governing body to reflect on the consequences of their scheduling decisions when the World Cup kicks off during the same window in 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“Hopefully next year they change the schedule at least, so that it’s more of a show, and football stays beautiful and exciting," he said.

A brace from new signing Joao Pedro helped Chelsea past Fluminense and now they face a monumental showdown against reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The final is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, again at MetLife Stadium, where the temperatures are expected to remain high. As the squad prepares for the summit clash, concerns remain about the ability of players to maintain high-intensity football in such unforgiving conditions.