Zidane missed the first two games of the World Cup, then was patched up as he tried to play the third. As magnificent as he had been in late May, he was a shadow of his former self in South Korea. France surrendered its trophy in the shortest time on record and went home without scoring a single goal.

What did the powers that be learn from this? Nothing. FIFA still demands its World Cup kick off in early June, UEFA still insists on its right to stage the crowning match of the European season in late May. The players, after long domestic seasons, are chasing the greatest prize on their club’s calendar while at the same time hurtling toward the biggest prize there is on the international stage.

Zidane’s isn’t the only body that has broken under this club-versus-country tug of war. Just as Lionel Messi broke down a year ago, Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo are now carrying strains on their hamstrings at the same time that the pressure to perform is the greatest.

Twice in seven days, Diego Costa was put at risk by Atlético. He lasted barely 15 minutes against Barcelona on May 17 before he had to be substituted. He then was flown to Belgrade, Serbia, to undergo alternative treatment using horse placenta.

We have been down this route before. Robin van Persie underwent the same treatment in Serbia years ago when he was desperate to get playing again for Arsenal. Frank Lampard of Chelsea had tried it, as had members of the Ghanaian national team.

“Costa has us on tenterhooks,” Del Bosque told the Spanish news media about the Brazilian-born player who last year switched national allegiances when he joined the defending world champions. “Medicine,” Del Bosque added, “has advanced a long way, but each injury has its minimum recovery time. We will see what happens in the end, but he cannot go against his own health. Atlético and the player himself have to weigh up the situation and the consequences.”

Diego Costa and Atlético Coach Diego Simeone pushed the boundaries of those consequences. This time, the wounded player lasted less than 10 minutes before he left. His team lost its most valuable attacker and had to use a substitution early in a contest where Atlético eventually ran out of fresh legs in the extra period.