Key Factors that Influence the Value of Football Players

Zhenwei Huang

Donghua Senior High school, Guangdong, 266011, China

Keywords: Football Player Value, Technical Ability, Physical Quality, Psychological Quality.

Abstract: This article delves into the multifaceted factors that shape the value of football players, aiming to offer a

comprehensive reference for those involved in the football industry. It examines five key aspects: technical

ability, match experience, physical fitness, mental strength, and market value. Technical proficiency and ball

sense are highlighted as core elements, with top players like Messi and Ronaldo exemplifying their

significance. Position-specific skills and adaptability are also crucial, as evidenced by players like Andres

Iniesta. Physical qualities such as speed, agility, physical resistance, and endurance are analyzed through

standardized tests and statistics, emphasizing their impact on performance. Psychological qualities like mental

toughness, leadership, and teamwork are explored, with examples from renowned figures like Johan Cruyff

and Lionel Messi. The article also discusses the commercial side, including brand value, social media

influence, and the dynamics of the transfer market, using cases like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

Ultimately, it reveals the complex interplay of these factors in determining a player's overall value.

1 INTRODUCTION

In the training and development of football players,

Cui and Rong explored innovative strategies for the

intelligent development of physical training in

football, aiming to enhance training effectiveness and

efficiency (Cui and Rong, 2024). Qin studied

practical approaches to cultivating high-level football

athletes in universities in the new era, providing

theoretical guidance and practical directions for

university football talent cultivation (Qin, 2024).

Shao rationally examined the development of

professional football in China from the perspective of

resource conservation theory, offering new angles for

the healthy development of professional football

(Shao, 2024). Pei et al. investigated the impact of key

psychological factors on football performance,

highlighting the significant role of psychological

factors in athlete performance (Pei et al., 2024). In

terms of teaching and training methods in football,

Zhao researched the application of competition

methods in football teaching and training, which

helps enrich teaching and training methods (Zhao,

2020). Regarding the cultivation of young football

talents, You et al. discussed implementation paths for

the long-term development of young football talents

in China in the new era, which is crucial for

sustainable talent cultivation (You et al., 2021). In

financial research related to football players, Zhang

conducted an analysis of the recognition and

measurement of accounting assets for football

players, providing references for evaluating their

commercial value (Zhang, 2023).

There have been numerous achievements in

football-related research abroad. In studies on the

relationship between football players 'physical

condition and athletic performance, Munera et al.

conducted a cross-sectional study on the relationship

between pre-season anthropometric characteristics,

body composition, and physical performance of

Spanish professional women's football players

(Munera et al., 2025). Regarding the relationship

between training load and movement parameters in

football players, Pinelli et al. explored the

relationship between acute and chronic workload

ratios and running parameters in elite football players

(Pinelli et al., 2025). In the field of evaluating the

commercial value of football players, Liu studied the

depreciation differences in valuations of football

players during their golden and prime periods in the

Premier League and top European leagues, providing

a cross-league comparative analysis for financial

valuation of football players (Liu, 2025).

Huang, Z.

Key Factors that Inﬂuence the Value of Football Players.

DOI: 10.5220/0013829100004708

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Innovations in Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy (IAMPA 2025), pages 541-545

ISBN: 978-989-758-774-0

541

2 TECHNICAL ABILITIES

2.1 Technical Proficiency and Ball

Sense

In the sport of football, technical proficiency and ball

sense are among the core elements that measure an

athlete's value. Technical proficiency is reflected in

an athlete's ability to control the ball, the accuracy of

their passes, shooting techniques, and dribbling skills.

For example, according to statistics from Federation

International de Football Association (FIFA),

forwards in top leagues attempt about three shots per

game on average, and players with higher than the

average shot conversion rates often bring more

victories to their teams. Ball sense, however, is a

hard-to-quantify intuition that allows players to

accurately judge the ball's landing point and

trajectory even at high speeds, enabling them to react

quickly and accurately. Developing ball sense

typically requires extensive training and match

experience, as the football legend Pele once said:

"Football is a simple game, but playing it well is

difficult." Top players like Messi and Ronaldo have

technical proficiency and ball sense that are key to

their career success and an important part of their

market value.

2.2 Location-Specific Skills and

Adaptability

In the sport of football, positional-specific skills and

adaptability are key factors in determining an athlete's

value. For example, a midfielder needs to excel in

passing, ball control, and vision, while a forward must

have efficient shooting and scoring abilities.

According to statistics from FIFA, players who can

play multiple positions are often favored by clubs

because their versatility provides coaches with more

tactical options. For instance, Andres Iniesta of the

Spanish national team not only demonstrated

exceptional creativity in midfield but also played as

an attacker at critical moments.

In terms of analytical models, this paper can refer

to the renowned "Position Adaptive Model," which

predicts a player's potential for adaptation in new

positions by evaluating their performance data across

different roles. As football legend Johan Cruyff once

said, "Football is a game of space; players who

understand and utilize it will have immense value."

Therefore, position-specific skills and adaptability

not only reflect a player's technical versatility but are

also a crucial component of their market value.

3 PHYSICAL AND

PSYCHOLOGICAL QUALITY

3.1 Page Setup Physical Fitness of

Athletes

3.1.1 Speed and Agility

In modern football, speed and agility are key

indicators of an athlete's technical ability. Speed is not

only reflected in straight sprints but also in the

player's acceleration, change of direction, and short-

distance sprinting capabilities during matches. For

example, according to Federation International de

Football Association (FIFA) statistics, a top

footballer can achieve an acceleration time of 3.6

seconds within 10 meters, while the sprint time for 50

meters is typically around 6 seconds. These figures

indicate that speed is crucial for athletes' performance

in games, especially in counterattacks and fast breaks,

where a speed advantage often translates directly into

scoring opportunities.

Agility involves an athlete's ability to perform

quick and precise movements within limited space,

which is particularly crucial in modern football

matches characterized by tight defense and rapid

transitions between attack and defense. Athletes with

high agility can make multiple swift directional

changes in a short time, effectively breaking free from

opponents' defenses and creating offensive

opportunities. Take Messi as an example; Messi is

renowned worldwide for the exceptional agility and

dribbling skills, enabling people to execute quick

feints and directional shifts in confined spaces,

thereby overcoming the opponent's defensive line.

In terms of analyzing models, the assessment of

speed and agility can be conducted through a series of

standardized tests, such as the 30-meter sprint test and

agility tests (like the T-test). These tests provide

quantifiable data to coaching teams, helping them

evaluate athletes 'physical condition and actual

performance in competitions. Moreover, speed and

agility are closely related to an athlete's muscle

strength, explosive power, and coordination.

Therefore, training programs should include targeted

physical training and skill exercises to enhance these

aspects of performance.

In conclusion, speed and agility are crucial

components of a football player's technical abilities;

they directly impact the athlete's performance and

value in matches. Through scientific training and

evaluation, athletes' speed and agility can be

IAMPA 2025 - The International Conference on Innovations in Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy

542

effectively improved, thereby enhancing their

competitiveness and market value in games.

3.1.2 Physical Resistance and Endurance

In the high-intensity sport of football, physical

combat ability and endurance are crucial components

of an athlete's value. Physical combat ability not only

manifests as hard power in one-on-one defense and

offense but also determines whether a player can

maintain possession during tight marking and break

through the opponent's defense in fast counterattacks.

For instance, according to FIFA statistics, top center-

backs average about 20 physical confrontations per

game, while forwards must maintain speed and

direction control during these confrontations to

ensure accurate shots. In terms of endurance, modern

football matches typically last over 60 minutes on

average, which demands that athletes have excellent

physical reserves and recovery capabilities.

Endurance training models, such as the Yo-Yo

interval recovery test, are widely used to assess an

athlete's fitness level. Endurance not only affects

performance in matches but is also closely related to

injury prevention and career longevity. As football

legend Johan Cruyff once pointed out that "Football

is a game of space and time, and endurance is the key

to mastering time".

3.2 Athletes' Psychological Quality

3.2.1 Psychological Resilience in

Competition

In the high-intensity, fast-paced sport of football, an

athlete's mental toughness is one of the key factors

determining their value. Mental toughness, also

known as psychological resilience, refers to an

individual's ability to maintain a positive attitude and

recover quickly when facing pressure, adversity, or

challenges. In football matches, this ability is

particularly crucial because the outcome often hinges

on the players' mental state at critical moments. For

example, a study of top European league players

showed that those who remain calm under pressure

and make correct decisions tend to bring more

victories to their teams.

Mental toughness is not only reflected at the

individual level but also in teamwork. A player with

high mental toughness can motivate teammates when

they are behind, maintaining team morale and turning

the tide of the game. As legendary football coach

Johan Cruyff said, "Football is a simple game made

up of complex parts." Mental toughness is an

indispensable part of these complex elements.

3.2.2 Leadership and Team Spirit

In the team sport of football, leadership and teamwork

are key factors determining a team's success.

Leadership is not only reflected in on-field command

and decision-making but also in motivating

teammates and boosting team morale. For example,

football superstar Lionel Messi is renowned not only

for the exceptional individual skills but also for the

leadership on the field. The people can inspire the

teammates' potential and enhance team cohesion

through the performance and attitude. Research

shows that players with strong leadership often lead

their teams to victory at critical moments, such as

when German captain Philipp Lahm's leadership

played a decisive role in Germany's final win at the

2014 World Cup.

Teamwork requires players to trust and coordinate

with each other on the field, forming a cohesive unit.

In modern football tactics, the coordination and

passing accuracy among players are key indicators of

teamwork. For example, Barcelona's "Tiki-Taka"

strategy relies on unparalleled chemistry and rapid

short passes between players. The successful

implementation of this tactic not only demands

exceptional skills from the players but also a high

level of teamwork. As the famous football coach

Johan Cruyff said, "Football is not a game for one

man, but eleven men." This statement underscores the

importance of teamwork in football matches.

In addition, the cultivation of leadership and

teamwork is closely related to players' personalities,

growth backgrounds, and coaching guidance. In

terms of analytical models, the Belbin Team Role

Theory provides a framework to help understand the

roles and contributions of different players within a

team. According to this theory, a successful team

requires players with various roles, including plant-

type innovators, resource investigators, coordinators,

shapers, supervisors and evaluators, team workers,

executors, completers, and experts. Each player can

demonstrate their unique leadership and teamwork in

the team, collectively driving the team toward its

goals.

4 MARKET VALUE OF

ATHLETES

4.1 Brand Value and Business Potential

In the modern football industry, an athlete's brand

value and commercial potential have become one of

the key factors influencing their market value. Brand

Key Factors that Inﬂuence the Value of Football Players

543

value is not only reflected in a player's technical

skills, match experience, physical fitness, and mental

strength but also closely tied to their personal image,

market recognition, and interactions with sponsors

and fans. For example, football legends Cristiano

Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, whose brand value far

exceeds their on-field performance, extends into areas

such as advertising, social media, and business

collaborations. According to data released by Forbes,

a significant portion of Ronaldo's annual income in

2021 came from sponsorships and commercial

activities, which fully demonstrates the commercial

potential of top players.

Analytical models such as the "Brand Equity

Valuation" (BAV) can be used to measure and

analyze an athlete's brand value. This model takes

into account multiple dimensions including brand

awareness, brand differentiation, brand relevance,

and brand loyalty. Taking football players as an

example, their outstanding performances in

international tournaments can enhance personal

brand recognition and differentiation, thereby

increasing their commercial value. For instance,

Kylian Mbappe of France, with this remarkable

performance at the 2018 World Cup, not only won the

"Golden Boy Award" but also significantly boosted

this brand value and commercial potential, attracting

numerous brands seeking collaboration.

In addition, an athlete's commercial potential is

closely tied to their influence on social media.

Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

provide athletes with a space to interact with fans and

shape their personal image. By sharing training,

matches, and daily life on these platforms, athletes

can increase fan engagement and loyalty, thereby

enhancing their commercial value. For example, Paul

Pogba's active presence on social media not only

strengthened this connection with fans but also

brought people more business collaboration

opportunities.

In summary, the brand value and commercial

potential of football players are the result of multiple

factors working together. From technical skills to

match experience, from physical fitness to mental

strength, and then to age and injury history, these

factors collectively form an athlete's personal brand

and influence their value in the transfer market. The

interaction between international influence and

market value further enhances the commercial

potential of athletes. Therefore, evaluating and

enhancing the brand value and commercial potential

of athletes is crucial for clubs, sponsors, and the

athletes themselves.

4.2 Demand and Supply in Transfer

Market

In the football player transfer market, the dynamic

relationship between demand and supply is one of the

key factors determining a player's value. According

to FIFA reports, the global football transfer market

has been growing steadily in recent years, with total

transfer fees reaching $7 billion in 2019. This growth

reflects the rising market value of top players and also

highlights the intense competition among clubs for

scarce talent. For example, Paris Saint-Germain

signed Neymar in 2017 for a record-breaking fee of

222 million, which not only demonstrated Neymar's

comprehensive technical skills, match experience,

and market value but also reflected the high demand

for top-tier players in the transfer market.

On the supply side, factors such as a player's age,

injury history, and international influence all impact

their market value. Young players are generally seen

as more promising, making them more popular in the

transfer market. For example, 18-year-old French

forward Kylian Mbappe transferred to Paris Saint-

Germain for €180 million in 2017. The youth and

talent made the club willing to pay a high transfer fee.

In contrast, an injury history can reduce a player's

market value, as long-term injuries can decrease

playing time, affect performance and adaptability,

thereby impacting the club's willingness to purchase.

The relationship between demand and supply in

the transfer market can be analyzed using the supply

and demand model from economics. When there is an

increase in demand for a specific skill or position, if

the supply remains unchanged or increases slowly,

the market value of these players will rise.

Conversely, if there is an oversupply of a certain type

of player, even if they possess high technical skills,

their market value may decline. Therefore, the market

value of a player is the result of their individual

abilities, market conditions, and club strategic

decisions working together.

5 CONCLUSION

The value of a football player is a complex construct

influenced by a myriad of interrelated factors.

Technical ability stands out as a fundamental pillar,

with proficiency in ball control, passing accuracy,

shooting techniques, and dribbling skills being

essential. Ball sense, an intuitive ability to judge the

ball's trajectory, further enhances a player's technical

prowess. Position-specific skills and adaptability are

IAMPA 2025 - The International Conference on Innovations in Applied Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy

544

equally important, as players who can excel in

multiple roles offer greater tactical flexibility to their

teams. Physical fitness, encompassing speed, agility,

resistance, and endurance, is vital for modern

football, where high-intensity actions and long

matches are the norm. Psychological qualities such as

mental toughness, leadership, and teamwork are often

the intangible factors that can make or break a player's

performance, especially in high-pressure situations.

The commercial aspect of a player's value cannot be

overlooked. Brand value and social media influence

have become significant, with top players leveraging

these platforms to enhance their marketability. The

dynamics of the transfer market, driven by supply and

demand, also play a crucial role in determining a

player's monetary worth. Young, talented players

with minimal injury history and high international

influence are highly sought after, while those with

recurring injuries may see their value diminish. In

conclusion, a football player's value is the

culmination of their technical, physical,

psychological attributes, and commercial potential,

all of which interact in intricate ways to shape their

standing in the football world. This comprehensive

analysis underscores the need for a holistic approach

in evaluating and nurturing football talents, ensuring

that all these aspects are considered to maximize a

player's potential and market value.

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