Faster, stronger… Better? A systematic review of talent identification and selection in soccer

The identification and selection of talented football players is contingent on a set of factors whose interaction influences a given individual to reach high levels of performance. The present systematic review of articles and meta-analyses, using the PRISMA guidelines, aimed to compile, identify, and organize emerging investigation patterns between 1999 and 2021, with a focus on the identification and selection of soccer players. The inclusion criteria were applied according to PICOS, and the search was performed on the EBSCOhost and PubMed databases. Of the 79 articles considered, 53% addressed age-related effects, 24% maturity status-related effects, and 23% both dimensions (multidimensional effects). The results showed that players born in the initial months of the year and with an advanced maturity status presented physical advantages compared to those born later in the same year and with late or normal maturational status. This momentary physical and maturational advantage was seen as an important criterion for players to achieve success and was reflected in a clear preference for these players in the talent identification and selection process. On the other hand, most studies used anthropometric/physical and/or technical measures, which can be observed and measured in a simpler way than the tactical and cognitive dimensions (e.g., soccer-specific intelligence). Relatedly, the importance of an integrated and varied approach that considers multiple player development factors is emphasized.

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