Position-specific patterns of head injuries in soccer: A 20-year media-based retrospective study

Soccer is a high-contact sport in which player-to-player collisions, particularly during aerial duels, may result in head injuries and concussions. Players in certain soccer positions may be at higher risk of serious head injuries because of their exposure to higher kinetic forces and frequent uncontrolled collisions. This retrospective descriptive study included 215 cases of soccer-related head trauma reported in the media between 2005 and 2024. The dataset was compiled through the systematic monitoring of online news sources using Inoreader. Demographic data, injury mechanisms, and associations between loss of consciousness (LOC) and fractures were analyzed. Pearson chi-square test, Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test, and Student t test were used for statistical comparison. The mean age of injured players was 27.37 ± 5.43 years, and 86% were professional players. Injuries occurred most frequently among defenders (38.1%), followed by forwards (24.2%) and goalkeepers (14.4%). LOC was reported in 31.6% of the cases and was more frequent among goalkeepers (45.2%; P = .047). LOC was significantly associated with higher proportions of hospital presentation, hospitalization, and imaging, as well as a lower likelihood of continuing participation after the injury (all P < .001). The most common injury mechanism was head-to-head collision (51.6%). Injuries were most frequent during the 31 to 45 minutes (17.2%) and 76 to 90 minutes (18.1%) match intervals. Fractures occurred in 24.2% of cases, most commonly in the nasal (48.1%) and zygomatic (40.4%) bones. Publicly reported soccer-related head injuries showed position-specific patterns, with defenders and forwards accounting for the largest proportion of cases, and goalkeepers showing the highest proportion of LOC. Head-to-head collisions were the most frequently reported mechanism. These findings should be interpreted as descriptive patterns rather than estimates of position-specific injury risk and may be used to inform future prospective studies and preventive strategies.