Are you curious to know if the month a footballer is born influences their career? Discover the surprising trend of birth months among football players and how it impacts their early development, with insights provided by CauHoi2025.UK.COM. Learn about the relative age effect and whether it determines success at the elite level.
1. The Unexpected Birth Month Bias in Football
It might surprise you, but February is a popular birth month for prominent footballers like Jamal Musiala, Arda Guler, and Cristiano Ronaldo. This isn’t just a coincidence. Research from the University of Strathclyde reveals a phenomenon known as the “relative age effect,” where players born earlier in the year have a statistical advantage. The University of Strathclyde indicates that players born in January are twice as many as players born in December in the squads.
1.1. The Relative Age Effect Explained
The relative age effect is the overrepresentation of individuals born earlier in a specific cohort. This means that in sports and even education, those born in the early months of the year often have an advantage. This is because, in youth squads, the eligibility date is usually January 1st. Therefore, a player born in January is almost a year older than a player born in December in the same cohort.
1.2. Youth Level Disparity
This age advantage is especially noticeable at the youth level. According to the Strathclyde researchers, Under-17s squads in European championships have over four times as many players born between January and March compared to those born between October and December. Italy’s Under-17 championship team, with 11 players born in the first quarter of the year and only one in December, exemplifies this trend.
Lead Researcher Aidan Rooney explains: “One year might not seem a large difference, but at the youth level it may mean that January-born players have experienced almost 10% more playing time than December-born players.”
1.3. Physical and Psychological Factors
Why does this birth month matter? It boils down to physical and psychological development. An earlier-born youth player is likely to be taller, stronger, and more physically and emotionally mature. This can lead to more coaching opportunities and a higher chance of turning professional.
2. Does Birth Month Determine Elite Success?
The study also investigated whether a player’s birth month could predict their market value, which is a measure of their performance and quality. Intriguingly, birth month was not found to be a significant predictor of market value among professional players.
2.1. Advantage Fades at Elite Level
While an early birth month increases the likelihood of making a national squad, it doesn’t guarantee superstardom. As Dr. Gehrsitz noted, once a player reaches the elite level, other factors become more important.
2.2. The Influence of Other Factors
So, what are these other factors? Exceptional skill, remarkable speed, and a consistent ability to score are crucial. At the highest level of football, athleticism is a given. What sets players apart are their unique talents and abilities.
2.3. Examples of Late-Born Successes
It’s important not to generalize. Players like Kylian Mbappe (December), Pedri (November), and Ilkay Gundogan (October) are world-class despite being born later in the year. These examples highlight that talent and hard work can overcome any initial disadvantage.
