AI using ‘simple videos recorded on phones’ to unearth football talent beyond scouts’ radar
Tech companies are launching apps that allow young players to upload videos recorded on their phone of them showcasing their ball skills
Brazilian teenager Leo Veiga had almost given up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer when artificial intelligence helped him secure a spot in the youth ranks of an Italian club.
Tech companies promising to “democratise” football are launching apps that allow young players to upload videos recorded on their phone of them showcasing their ball skills.
AI is then used to analyse and score their performance, which is sent to scouts and clubs.
The 18-year-old Veiga was stuck playing for a small club in his home state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil when he discovered one of these apps, from Swiss company Footbao.
A YouTube video offered the highest-scoring users to train for a few days with the Italian club Lecce. Veiga was selected and caught the eye of a scout, who decided to take a chance on him.
“AI opened a new door,” he said. Italy, where he is now under contract with the youth academy of the club Spezia, which plays in Italy’s second division.