Evolution of soccer talent identification criteria: a systematic review from global perspectives (1976-2024)

This systematic review synthesizes the evolution of indicators used in global soccer talent identification (TID) between 1976 and 2024, with particular emphasis on how technological innovation, policy frameworks, and cultural contexts have shaped selection systems. In the context of accelerating globalization, TID criteria have progressively shifted from predominantly subjective, experience-based judgments to multidimensional and integrative evaluation models.

A systematic review of empirical research published from 1976 to 2024 was conducted. Thirty-eight empirical studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria were synthesized to map historical shifts in TID indicators and to develop an evolutionary framework describing changes in identification practices over time.

The reviewed evidence supports a three-stage progression in soccer TID indicator development. The early stage (1976-1999) was dominated by anthropometric measures and basic physical fitness assessments. The developmental stage (2000-2015) featured the integration of technical performance metrics with physiological testing, reflecting expanding methodological capacity and sport-science uptake. The active stage (2016-2024) was characterized by multidimensional integration, with increased incorporation of psychological attributes and social adaptability alongside physical, technical, and physiological domains. Across stages, technological advancement and intensifying global competition emerged as major drivers of indicator expansion and methodological refinement. Tools such as wearable sensor systems, GPS tracking, and multidimensional assessment frameworks broadened the scope of quantifiable indicators and promoted more standardized evaluation workflows. Europe has been particularly influential in advancing standardization and disseminating related practices internationally. However, the review also demonstrates persistent regional differentiation: European systems generally emphasize data-driven precision and procedural standardization, whereas South American and African contexts more often prioritize the detection of latent potential and context-dependent performance under game-like conditions.

Global soccer TID indicators have evolved toward increasingly comprehensive, technology-enabled assessment systems, yet the trajectory of development remains shaped by regional philosophies of talent and contextual constraints. The findings underscore that effective TID systems should balance standardization with contextual sensitivity, integrating robust measurement with an appreciation of culturally embedded selection logics and ecologically valid performance demands.