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Does running performance relate to the market value of elite male soccer players? A case study from the FIFA world cup
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The study main aim was to investigate: the relationship between running performances and market values of
soccer players playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, by playing position and all players; the comparisons by playing
position; to analyse the relationship between running metrics and market values of the highest and lowest players
ranked players. The relationship between running metrics and market values of 306 soccer players who participated
in the tournament and played full time, as well as the 40 players with the highest (n = 20) and lowest (n = 20)
market values was analysed. Overall, there was a very weak correlation between market values and total distance
(r = 0.149), zone 3 (r = 0.153), zone 4 (r = 0.139), zone 5 (r = 0.160), high-speed runs (r = 0.132), sprints (r = 0.147), and
top speed (r = 0.194) for all players (p < 0.05). Defenders showed very weak positive correlation between market
values and top speed (r = 0.155, p < 0.05). Midfielders showed weak positive correlations between market values
and zone 4 (r = 0.302, p < 0.05) and zone 5 (r = 0.369, p < 0.001), sprints (r = 0.367, p < 0.001), and top speed (r = 0.304,
p < 0.05). Forwards showed no correlations (p > 0.05). While there is no significant correlation between running
metrics and market value for players with the lowest market value (p > 0.05), there was a moderate negative
correlation between total distance (r=-0.577) and zone 2 (r=-0.612) for the 20 players with the highest market
value (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a weak correlation with zone 5 (r = 0.450) and a moderate correlation with the
top speed values (r = 0.596) (p < 0.05). Weak correlations between soccer players’ running performance and market
values suggest that different running thresholds are important metrics, although other factors (e.g., technical skill,
age, national and team club) may influence this relationship. In conclusion, since coaches and scouts aim to recruit
relatively talented players within the limits of their budgets, selecting athletes with high aerobic and anaerobic
performance, particularly those with a strong high-intensity running profile, can contribute to team success and
potentially generate high transfer revenues in the future.
Description
Keywords
football optical tracking systems marketing total distance sprint world cup
Citation
Kılcı, A., Koç, M.E., Binokay, H., Erdoğan, A.,Kamiş, O. & Oliveira, R. (2025). Does running performance relate to the market value of elite male soccer players? A case study from the FIFA world cup. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 17, 109. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01162-x
Publisher
Springer Nature