Junior Alonso, a defender for Krasnodar and the Paraguay national team, recently spoke about the immense travel challenges that followed the closure of the airport. He described how the situation has forced him to confront unusually long journeys, something he had not experienced before in his career. The burden is not just logistical; it carries a physical and mental weight that becomes harder to bear with each passing day. The season’s demands and the travel schedule have converged into a strenuous reality for the player.
“I’ve never traveled so much in my life”, Alonso admitted. “This is hard. It now takes me at least 35 hours to reach the Paraguay national team, perhaps up to 40 hours. And that’s just the only way I can get there. I’m not going to pretend I’m not exhausted.” His routine has become a marathon of flights and layovers, a far cry from the usual short hops between training camps and official matches.
When counting the segments, the itinerary reads Asuncion to Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo to Dubai, Dubai to Moscow, and Moscow to Kaliningrad. Totals show a remarkable time on the move, roughly 34 to 35 hours spent in transit. The strain is starting to show, Alonso noted, describing the situation as increasingly stressful. The accumulation of long-haul legs leaves him drained as the schedule piles up. This is a reality that many players bump into when national team duties collide with club commitments, especially under travel restrictions and disruptions.
Alonso joined Krasnodar in January 2022 and has a contract that runs through June 2025. In the current Russian Premier League season, he has made 15 appearances and scored one goal, contributing to Krasnodar’s campaign on the defensive line. The team has accumulated 32 points after 15 rounds, maintaining leadership in the league with a steady performance. In the most recent round, the blue-white-blue side shared the points with Zenit in a 1–1 draw, with Eduard Spertsyan and Mateo Cassierra providing the goals that kept Krasnodar in a strong position. Despite the draw, the club remains in second place, two points behind the leader as the season progresses.
Earlier, Alonso had explained the reasons behind his return to Russia following the suspension of his contract. The decision highlights a commitment to his club responsibilities as well as a readiness to navigate the logistical breaks created by global travel constraints. The broader context here reflects how international duties and domestic league obligations can intersect in ways that test even seasoned professionals. The adaptability of players like Alonso is a case study in balancing club and national responsibilities while facing unprecedented travel demands. The evolving travel landscape continues to shape preparation, recovery, and performance for players who shuttle between continents and time zones, and it underscores the resilience required to compete at the highest levels across both club and country.
Notes for readers and fans alike emphasize that the road to international duty remains arduous, especially for players stationed far from home. The experience of Alonso underscores a common thread among professional footballers who must optimize recovery and performance amid extended travel. The discussion around these challenges invites ongoing analysis of how clubs, federations, and travel networks can collaborate to support athletes while maintaining competitive standards. In this environment, the ability to adapt quickly becomes as important as tactical acumen on the field. Attribution: Krasnodar FC press release and match reports provide context for the club’s standings and Alonso’s statements about travel weariness. Further updates will detail how this travel pattern influences selections, training schedules, and future fixtures.