Xhulio Zeneli

In recent years, world football has undergone a profound transformation, not only in tactical aspects but also in the physical and mental management of players. The dramatic increase in the number of matches during the season, between national leagues, cups, European competitions, and international duties, is putting athletes and technical staff under severe strain. But the problem doesn’t concern only established professionals: the consequences of an overloaded calendar also affect young players and the quality of training. 1. Excessive Match Load and the Decline in Training Quality In modern football, top teams can play up to 60–70 matches per season, a rhythm that leaves very little room for recovery or for meaningful work on the training pitch. Coaches, forced to manage their players’ energy, often turn many training sessions into recovery or maintenance sessions, reducing the opportunity to improve technical and tactical aspects. In the past, weeks with only one official match allowed coaches to work in depth on: · team movements, · offensive and defensive schemes, · individual technical skills. Today, however, the priority is physical management. As Pep Guardiola has repeatedly stated, “we don’t train anymore, we recover.” This phenomenon limits player development, as footballers find themselves playing more and training less. 2. Physical Consequences: Injuries and Early Wear and Tear The human body has natural limits. The increase in the number of matches, combined with the pressure to maintain top performances, leads to a higher risk of muscle injuries and chronic fatigue. UEFA and FIFA studies have shown that in the last five years, overload-related injuries (such as strains and muscle tears) have increased by 25% among players in Europe’s top leagues. Even world-class players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Pedri, and Vinícius Jr. have often complained about the devastating impact of an overcrowded schedule. The greatest risk, however, concerns young talents, bodies still developing yet forced to endure adult-like rhythms and workloads. Early wear and tear can lead to declining performances and, in the most serious cases, compromised careers. 3. Young Players and Stunted Development In youth football, the excess of competitions — between tournaments, league matches, and friendlies — has led to a culture of “always playing” rather than “training well.” Many young players spend entire weeks on the pitch without having time to absorb tactical concepts or improve their technical fundamentals. Moreover, the pressure for immediate results pushes clubs and coaches to treat youngsters like mini professionals, reducing their creative freedom and increasing the risk of psychological burnout. According to several athletic trainers, the ages between 14 and 18 are when technical and tactical training should prevail over competition. However, international tournaments and busy school calendars often make it difficult to respect these developmental principles. 4. Mental Impact: Stress, Fatigue, and Motivation Beyond the physical aspect, an overloaded calendar also affects the mental health of players. The constant pressure to play, travel, and perform causes many athletes — especially young ones — to lose enthusiasm and motivation. Recent cases of burnout in European youth football show how an excess of matches can ultimately undermine the passion for the game itself. 5. Possible Solutions Football federations and international governing bodies have been discussing calendar reform for years. Some of the proposed measures include: · limiting the maximum number of matches per season, · introducing mandatory rest windows, · valuing training quality over the sheer quantity of competitions, · protecting young athletes through specific rules on playing time and recovery. Technology can also play an important role: through GPS tracking systems and biometric data analysis, medical and fitness staff can now accurately measure each player’s workload and prevent overtraining situations. Conclusion Modern football faces a deep contradiction: more matches mean more spectacle and profit, but also less technical quality, more injuries, and less youth development. To ensure a sustainable future for the world’s most popular sport, it will be necessary to find a balance between entertainment and health, between competition and education. Only then can football continue to grow, without prematurely exhausting its protagonists.

Football is constantly evolving and one of the most transformative forces in recent years has been the rise of social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are now deeply intertwined with the game, not only at the professional level but increasingly within youth academies and development systems. While these platforms offer unique opportunities, they also present serious challenges, particularly for young players. The Weight of the Spotlight Social media has transformed the way fans interact with footballers. No longer limited to stadiums and television, supporters now voice their opinions online, often immediately after matches. For young players, especially those just breaking into first teams or progressing through academies, this constant exposure can be overwhelming. Many of these players maintain social media profiles, and while it may help them build a personal brand, it also leaves them vulnerable to public scrutiny. After every match, they're subject to unfiltered criticism, harsh comments, and even online abuse. Given their age and inexperience, many of these young athletes may not yet have developed the mental resilience to handle such pressure. A single mistake on the pitch can quickly go viral, potentially damaging their confidence and performance. From Childhood to Public Stage An emerging trend is the presence of social media accounts for children as young as seven or eight, often managed by parents, showcasing training clips, match highlights, and personal milestones. While these accounts can offer exposure and help in scouting and career-building, they also risk putting undue pressure on kids before they’re emotionally ready for that level of attention. A Shift in Mental Health Awareness Fortunately, the football world is starting to respond. In contrast to the past, clubs and federations are taking mental health more seriously. Many now employ psychologists, welfare officers, and education professionals who work closely with young players to help them navigate the complexities of fame, criticism, and identity in the digital age. Workshops, seminars, and internal support systems have become more common across academies and national associations. These efforts are designed to provide tools for young athletes to cope with external pressure, build self-confidence, and maintain a healthy relationship with social media. Voices from Experience Former Manchester United goalkeeper Chris Turner, who played during Sir Alex Ferguson’s early years at the club, shared his perspective in an interview with RG.org: “Stay off social media. After every big match, players can be targeted for mistakes, missed penalties, or sending-offs. Back in my day, you had to develop mental toughness to handle setbacks – whether it was being dropped from the squad or losing games. Today, clubs have welfare officers and social media managers, but my advice remains the same: stay away from social media, ignore the criticism, and focus on your game. If you can’t handle criticism, you won’t make it as a professional footballer.” - Chris Turner, via RG.org His words echo the concerns of many veterans who recognize how the emotional toll of modern media can derail promising careers if not managed carefully. Not All Negative While the dangers of social media are real, it’s important to acknowledge its positive side as well. Platforms can provide visibility to talented youngsters from remote regions who might otherwise go unnoticed. A well-timed highlight reel can catch the attention of scouts, agents, and clubs, giving players opportunities that would have been unthinkable in previous generations. Additionally, social media can help players connect with fans, build a positive personal brand, and promote meaningful causes or initiatives. Finding the Balance The influence of social media in football is not going away. The challenge is learning how to use it wisely. For young players, the goal should be to benefit from the exposure while protecting their mental health and staying grounded. There’s still work to be done - both by players and the institutions that support them - but with the right guidance and safeguards in place, social media can be a tool for growth rather than a threat to their development.

Football scouting has changed. Thanks to data and technology, young strikers are evaluated using broader, more modern criteria than just goals and physicality. In the past, coaches searched for strikers based on their goalscoring abilities, but now things have changed, and they analyze strikers based on different qualities. From Intuition to Algorithm: The Digital Revolution Traditionally, scouts based their evaluations on direct observations, subjective reports, and personal impressions. Although these components remain fundamental, they are now integrated - and in some cases surpassed — by digital tools and predictive algorithms. Different platforms allow clubs to monitor thousands of players in real time, even in less visible competitions like youth leagues or second divisions. Today, algorithms analyze data such as: • xG (expected goals): to assess the quality of chances created or finished; • Off-the-ball movement: through heatmaps and GPS tracking; • Efficiency in offensive duels; • Contribution to offensive pressing and defensive efforts. The Modern Striker's Profile: Versatility and Football Intelligence In the past, the ideal center-forward was a classic physical "number nine," strong in aerial duels and a prolific scorer. Today, clubs seek more complete and mobile profiles — strikers who can: • Play between the lines and link up with midfielders; • Execute organized pressing; • Adapt to various tactical systems (4-3-3, 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1); • Use positional intelligence to open spaces even without touching the ball; • Be effective both in playmaking and finishing. Examples: Players like Julian Álvarez, Benjamin Šeško, and, in women's football, Melchie Dumornay and Marie-Antoinette Katoto perfectly embody the modern, versatile striker profile. The Importance of Tactical and Psychological Adaptability An increasingly important factor in scouting is assessing a young striker’s ability to adapt to different environments, including: • New cultural settings; • Media pressure; • Tactical systems different from those they are used to. Leading clubs now complement technical scouting with: • Psycho-attitudinal interviews; • Mental resilience assessments; • Social media behavior monitoring; • Cognitive testing to evaluate decision-making speed. Today, scouting extends beyond performance on the pitch - it includes personality, discipline, and growth potential. Academies as Early Scouting Laboratories With talents being identified at younger ages, many clubs now invest heavily in early scouting and partnerships with football academies, particularly in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Current trends include: • Collaborations between clubs and private football schools; • International scouting tours to discover lesser-known talents; • Use of artificial intelligence to predict physical and motor development; • Establishing resident scouts in key geographic areas. The Risk of Standardization and the Rediscovery of “Unconventional” Talent An over-reliance on data risks creating a standardized "ideal profile", possibly overlooking those unique talents who don't perfectly fit the statistical mold. Some clubs are actively seeking to balance data-driven analysis with traditional creative scouting, in search of the unpredictable brilliance - the "phenomenon" that escapes the algorithms. Conclusion Scouting young strikers today is no longer a simple matter of assessing raw talent. It is a complex, multi-dimensional process that blends technology, statistics, psychology, and intuition. The clubs that succeed are those who integrate these approaches while maintaining a strategic and human-centered vision - they are the ones who will discover and nurture the goal scorers of the future.

In recent years, the role of the goalkeeper has evolved significantly, making the scouting of young talent both challenging and exciting. Clubs today are looking for goalkeepers who excel at preventing goals but also possess strong skills in ball distribution and playing with their feet. It's essential for keepers to not only make saves but also to effectively distribute the ball at the right time and in the right areas. Effective scouting of a young goalkeeper is based on several important factors, as explained below: 1. Reactivity and Reflexes: The ability to react quickly to close-range shots is essential for a modern goalkeeper. Scouts evaluate how the goalkeeper performs in one-on-one situations, their reflex speed, and their capacity to make difficult saves against opponents. 2. Playing with Their Feet: With the evolution of the game, goalkeepers must be skilled at controlling the ball and initiating attacks from their feet. Important metrics include the accuracy of short and long passes, the ability to play under pressure, and overall game awareness. 3. Positioning and Game Reading: A good goalkeeper anticipates the movements of opponents and positions themselves effectively to be in front of the action. This aspect is assessed through live analysis of the decisions made during matches. 4. Mental Strength and Leadership: The pressure on goalkeepers is significant; therefore, maintaining concentration and guiding the defense is crucial. Scouts observe the goalkeeper’s body language, communication with defenders, and how they respond after making a mistake. 5. Explosiveness and Goal Coverage: High levels of extension and speed of movement enable the goalkeeper to cover the goal more effectively. Scouts analyze the speed of lateral movements, jumping power, and the ability to execute spectacular saves. These key elements provide a framework for evaluating young goalkeepers and identifying their potential for future success. Modern techniques of scouting In recent years, scouting methodologies have evolved significantly due to advancements in technology and data analysis. Some of the most commonly used tools include: - Video Analysis: Clubs are utilizing advanced software to analyze the performance of young goalkeepers in various game situations. - Advanced Data and Statistics: Metrics such as the number of saves per match, the percentage of successful exits, and passing accuracy are being closely examined and scrutinized. - Live Observations: Despite the reliance on technology, firsthand observation allows scouts to see how a goalkeeper communicates with the team and their body language. Scouts often prefer to watch keepers play in different weather conditions and against varying levels of competition to gain a comprehensive understanding of their abilities. - Specific Tests: Some clubs administer physical and psychological tests to assess young goalkeepers' resilience under pressure, their muscular responsiveness, and their ability to quickly learn new techniques. Conclusion The scouting of young goalkeepers requires a combination of technology, experience, and skill to effectively evaluate both their techniques and mental attributes. As football continues to evolve, the role of the goalkeeper becomes increasingly crucial. Identifying the best young keepers can make the difference between a winning and a losing team. Therefore, scouts must stay updated on new methodologies for analysis, allowing them to recognize potential and talent not just in the present but also with a long-term perspective.

In the European football market, the scouting process is a crucial element for the success of clubs, as it allows them to identify new talents and acquire them at a lower cost before other teams. In recent years, the combination of traditional scouting methods with technological advancements has revolutionized this sector. In the past, the scouting process was significantly different from today, and technology did not have the same impact and importance as it does now. Clubs relied on scouts who were willing to travel extensively across the world to observe players and compile reports based on live match performances in various regions, from Africa to North America. This process posed several challenges for clubs, as it required a large number of scouts stationed globally, as well as significant financial resources. For medium and small clubs, such extensive scouting was almost impossible due to financial constraints. In recent years, things have changed drastically, with more clubs transitioning from traditional scouting methods to a technology-driven approach. Various platforms and software have been developed to assist clubs and scouts in identifying and evaluating new players. These platforms provide direct access to the statistics and videos of thousands of players worldwide, allowing scouts and clubs to analyze them remotely without the need for extensive travel. One such platform is ScoutDecision. These technological advancements have helped clubs save time and money while also enabling them to discover players faster than before, gaining a competitive edge over rival teams. Not only have big clubs benefited from these innovations, but medium and small clubs have also taken advantage of them, allowing them to identify young talents and sell them in the future for a high price. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has also begun to play a role in the scouting process, with various programs using AI to track player movements and generate analytical clips and statistics based on performance. In conclusion, the scouting process is in constant evolution, with clubs adopting different strategies based on their capabilities and objectives. The integration of traditional methods with advanced technologies, such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence, is redefining how talent is discovered and evaluated. This gives a competitive advantage to those who can innovate and adapt quickly to new industry trends.