An artificial intelligence application developed in Mexico is transforming how football scouts identify young talent, operating as a digital scout in 43 nations. The system processes match footage to generate comprehensive performance reports for coaches, providing objective metrics on players' technical skills. Presented to the Globo Repórter team during a visit to the Guadalajara campus of the Monterrey Institute of Technology, the tool was created by software developer Rafael Sánchez. Sánchez leads projects that merge football with artificial intelligence at one of Mexico's leading private universities.
How the AI Analyzes Player Performance
Sánchez detailed that the platform extracts actionable insights from recorded games, producing reports on on-field behavior and individual development. The system identifies technical attributes such as dominant foot, dribbling efficiency, and finishing performance inside the penalty area. During a demonstration, the developer illustrated how the tool profiles an athlete, noting his right-footedness and top-tier dribbling. This data-driven approach provides an objective layer to talent evaluation, complementing traditional scouting methods.
Real-Time Data Processing and Coach Reports
The AI does not merely log events; it analyzes thousands of data points in real time. Journalist Sandra Annenberg, after witnessing the system, compared the experience to a video game. Yet the tool's purpose extends far beyond entertainment: it delivers precise, actionable reports to trainers. According to Sánchez, the system “gives coaches specific reports, on-field behavior, the development of each young player.” This capability allows clubs to monitor players continuously, even from remote locations.
Democratizing Talent Discovery Across Borders
Sánchez emphasized that the core mission of the application is to broaden access for young athletes to professional football, especially in regions where scouts are scarce. “Talents are everywhere, in the favelas of Brazil, in Mexican neighborhoods,” he said. He noted that the tool has already helped unveil players for international clubs, specifically citing African football. “African football did not have a scout. For three years we have been revealing young players to European leagues almost every month,” he declared. This expansion underscores the system's role in leveling the playing field for undiscovered talent.
Inspired by a Personal Dream of Being Discovered
The project drew inspiration from Sánchez's own background as a lifelong footballer who hoped to be spotted by a scout. “I played football my whole life. I looked to see if there was a scout, if there was a chance of him seeing me play. With the camera, everyone will see,” he explained. This personal experience drove the creation of technology that, according to him, puts the dream of discovery within reach of any young player with a cell phone and a recorded match. It transforms a historically subjective process into one enhanced by digital tools.
The 2026 World Cup: A Technological Milestone
Sánchez predicted that artificial intelligence will play an increasingly prominent role in professional football and should define the 2026 World Cup, to be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. “It will be the most technological World Cup in history,” he stated. Advances in Big Data will allow increasingly sophisticated analyses during matches, he noted. “Artificial intelligence will process thousands of data points, identifying live patterns on the field,” Sánchez said. This bet reinforces the positioning of the Mexican state of Jalisco, where Guadalajara is located, as a major technology hub in Latin America, concentrating about 40% of the country's tech industry.
As the AI tool expands its footprint, it challenges the traditional scouting model built on human intuition. While widening the net for undiscovered players, it also introduces standardized metrics that could homogenize talent assessment. The system's presence in 43 nations suggests a shift toward data-driven decision-making in football. Any young athlete with a cell phone can now potentially be evaluated, democratizing the pathway to professional clubs.