Better youth academy… better talent identification? An analysis of the relative age effect in youth male soccer of TOP-10 UEFA clubs

Abstract

Being a major club should imply a more effective talent selection process. The present study investigates the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in youth soccer, with a focus on the top-10 UEFA clubs. Utilizing a Poisson regression model, the association between players' week of birth (WB) and their frequency in different age groups, field positions, and clubs, was examined. Results show a significant RAE presence in almost all the top 10 UEFA clubs, except for Paris Saint Germain. The phenomenon was consistent across age groups and field positions, with the highest index of discrimination (ID) noted for goalkeepers. Importantly, the study found that clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona exhibited strong model fits, suggesting a pattern in talent selection biased towards players born earlier in the selection year. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions to create a more equitable selection environment in youth soccer.