How AI is Changing the World of Football/ Soccer

Chester Khangelani Mbekela
Nov 4, 2024
5 min read

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Published by: Zila Mbekela, 4 November 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool of the future; it's an active game-changer in soccer today. The sport, known for its passion, skill, and teamwork, has witnessed an impressive evolution with AI technology, from scouting players to predicting performance and optimizing training regimens.

While soccer remains a dynamic, unpredictable sport, AI brings a level of strategic precision that allows teams to make more informed decisions in player acquisitions, performance monitoring, and overall team management.

1. AI and Data Analytics: The Backbone of Modern Football Strategy

At the heart of AI’s impact on soccer is data analytics. Soccer teams now employ data science experts to analyze match data, track player performance, and identify key factors that contribute to successful outcomes on the field. This analysis includes real-time tracking of players’ movements, passing accuracy, shooting precision, and defensive effectiveness.

By analyzing millions of data points, AI helps coaches and managers make informed decisions on game strategy, training focus, and player positioning. Advanced analytics can highlight strengths and weaknesses at both individual and team levels, making it easier for coaching staff to tailor strategies.

For instance, Liverpool and Manchester City, two of the English Premier League’s top clubs, use AI-driven data analytics to inform their strategies and training regimens. This gives them a competitive edge, helping them outwit their opponents by identifying areas of improvement and potential match-winning strategies.

2. AI-Enhanced Physical Testing: Predicting Player Performance and Longevity

AI isn’t just used for match analytics but also for player monitoring. Physical tests for soccer players now often incorporate AI to assess fitness levels and predict performance over the course of a season. Wearable devices embedded with AI sensors are used to track players' heart rate, movement speed, and even fatigue levels during training and matches. This real-time data can then be analyzed to determine the players' endurance, stress, and recovery rates.

By leveraging AI to analyze these factors, clubs can predict when a player may need rest or more focused training. In fact, the use of AI allows medical staff and coaches to see which players are more prone to injury, helping prevent costly downtime. For example, an AI system can predict that a player who consistently exhibits elevated fatigue levels may risk a hamstring injury.

While this technology is impressive, it’s not infallible. AI predictions regarding player performance are approximately 90% accurate but not fully foolproof. Certain variables, like the player’s mental health, external influences, and unforeseen injuries, are harder to quantify and can affect the accuracy of predictions.

3. Player Scouting: Avoiding Costly Transfer Mistakes

For wealthy clubs, the transfer market can be a financial minefield. Spending millions on a player who doesn’t perform as expected can be disastrous, not only financially but also in terms of team morale and public perception. This is where AI has proven invaluable. Using algorithms that analyze historical and current data, clubs can get a reliable snapshot of a player's performance potential. AI can analyze a player’s previous performance, injuries, adaptability, and even their ability to work well within a team dynamic. This in-depth analysis allows clubs to avoid costly mistakes by making informed decisions on whether a player is worth the investment.

The application of AI for scouting extends beyond performance prediction. AI can analyze a player’s tactical compatibility with a prospective team, an often-overlooked factor in traditional scouting methods. By comparing playing styles, movement patterns, and on-field positioning, AI can evaluate whether a player would integrate well into a team’s existing structure.

For instance, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona employ AI platforms to evaluate not just a player’s technical skill, but also their potential cultural fit within the team.

4. AI-Driven Platforms for Future Performance Predictions

One of the most exciting—and controversial—aspects of AI in soccer is its ability to predict future player performance. By analyzing years of player data, AI platforms can attempt to forecast a player’s trajectory. This analysis takes into account factors such as age, current fitness levels, and even playing style. Machine learning models analyze patterns and produce projections that clubs can use to make better decisions about a player's future.

While some AI platforms claim up to 90% accuracy in predicting performance, clubs understand that this technology isn’t foolproof. External factors such as life changes, psychological factors, or unexpected injuries cannot be fully captured by an algorithm. However, the reliability of these predictions has improved tremendously over recent years.

Teams like Real Madrid and Manchester United have reportedly invested in AI technology specifically for this purpose, hoping to build long-term strategies around promising young talent.

5. Personalized Training and Injury Prevention

AI’s influence extends beyond player scouting and match strategy into the realm of individualized training. Based on real-time data, AI can assess a player’s fatigue levels, potential risk of injury, and recovery time to create a tailored training regimen. These personalized plans are crucial, especially in preventing overuse injuries common in soccer, such as stress fractures and ligament strains.

The data collected from wearables during training sessions is analyzed by AI to gauge each player's physical readiness. AI platforms can even recommend specific exercises for players to maintain their form while minimizing injury risk.

For example, AI might suggest low-intensity recovery exercises or increased flexibility routines for players showing signs of strain. In a sport where even a minor injury can sideline a player for weeks, this preventive approach can be a game-changer.

6. Fan Engagement: Revolutionizing the Spectator Experience

Beyond the field, AI is transforming the fan experience by allowing for greater engagement through platforms that offer real-time analytics and virtual experiences. Fans can now view game statistics, player heatmaps, and predictive models during live matches, adding a new layer of excitement and insight. AI-powered chatbots and virtual fan experiences make games more accessible for international audiences, especially for clubs with significant followings outside their home countries.

Several European clubs have partnered with AI firms to create immersive fan experiences, utilizing augmented reality to bring fans closer to the action, even if they’re thousands of miles away. Clubs like Barcelona and Juventus leverage these technologies to keep fans engaged, even between seasons.

7. The Future of AI in Football: Expanding into Smaller Clubs

While AI technology is often associated with wealthy clubs, its adoption is gradually spreading to smaller clubs and lower leagues. As the cost of AI platforms decreases, mid-tier and even lower-tier teams are starting to benefit from the technology. AI can help these clubs scout undiscovered talent, maximize player development, and improve team performance without the high costs traditionally associated with data analysis.

For example, AI can assist these clubs in identifying young talent in local leagues, providing an affordable yet effective alternative to traditional scouting. As a result, the adoption of AI in soccer has the potential to level the playing field, allowing smaller clubs to compete more effectively against giants with larger budgets.

Conclusion

AI has undeniably revolutionized soccer, bringing a level of precision and insight previously unimaginable. From scouting and training to fan engagement, AI’s role in the sport continues to expand. While AI-driven predictions remain around 90% accurate, leaving room for unpredictability, they still provide a valuable advantage to clubs aiming for success in a highly competitive market.

As AI technology becomes more affordable and accessible, it promises to benefit not only elite teams but also smaller clubs seeking to compete on the world stage. In a sport deeply rooted in tradition, AI has proven that it can adapt and enhance the beautiful game, offering tools that elevate the experience for players, clubs, and fans alike.