Imagine a coach trying to spot the next big football star. For years, that call has relied on gut instinct and experience. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is stepping onto the pitch, and a new review of 20 studies suggests it could change how teams find and develop players.
Researchers looked at how AI is being used in football talent identification. They found that AI shows real potential in three key areas: spotting players with developmental potential, identifying performance and role fit, and helping with player value and recruitment decisions. In other words, AI might help teams see beyond the obvious and make smarter choices about who to sign and how to train them.
The review also found that traditional machine learning models are the most common type of AI used. Deep learning and hybrid models, which are more complex, are less common. This suggests the field is still in its early days.
But there are important caveats. The research is still transitioning from exploring what AI can do to actually using it in a systematic way. And there are real limitations, including concerns about data quality, how transparent the AI models are, and how rigorous the studies are. So while AI is promising, it's not yet a crystal ball for football success.
