Optimizing Talent Development for Goalkeepers: Psychological Characteristics, Stressors, and Sustainable Pathways in Elite Soccer

Abstract

Introduction Research on talent identification and development has grown significantly, driven by increasing interest from practitioners aiming to optimize these processes in applied settings. However, several challenges persist, including issues such as early selection biases, relative age effects, maturity-related inequalities, language barriers, and the underrepresentation of specific groups, such as female players, para-football athletes, and goalkeepers (Kelly, 2024). Goalkeepers occupy a unique and essential role within soccer teams, requiring specialized training to meet and sustain the demands of elite performance and development (e.g., Otte et al., 2022). The position’s requirements differ fundamentally from those of outfield players, resulting in distinctive developmental pathways and psychological profiles. For instance, goalkeepers face unique challenges, including the need to maintain concentration despite fluctuations in activity, make split-second decisions under pressure, and manage stress during high-stakes moments (e.g., penalty shootouts; Otte et al., 2020; de Castro et al., 2021). Despite their importance, research on the talent development of goalkeepers remains sparse. Therefore, given these gaps, the present study aimed to examine the psychological characteristics and stressors encountered by goalkeepers at various stages of their progression toward elite performance.

Methods Fifty goalkeepers (i.e., 41 males; 9 females) aged 9 to 21 and enrolled in elite training centers participated in the study. Data collection included quantitative and qualitative assessments. First, four validated questionnaires (i.e., D5D, PCDEQ, PFPI, TD12) were used to measure the participant’s psychological characteristics. Second, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the stressors encountered during the participants’ developmental pathways.

Results The results of the questionnaires revealed distinct findings: goalkeepers displayed lower extraversion scores compared to aspiring outfield players; gender differences were observed, with female goalkeepers exhibiting higher sensitivity, stress vulnerability and organizational tendencies than their male counterparts; dysfunctional personality tendencies were more prevalent among goalkeepers compared to other elite athletes’ populations; and age-related differences were observed regarding the perception of external support, with older participants reporting more nuanced experiences. The semi-structured interviews provided insights on two key stressors: the psychosocial stressors related to club transitions, selection processes and peer pressures; and the physical stressors related to injuries, or delay of physical development. Altogether, the results illustrate different psychological characteristics and stressors according to age groups, suggesting the (a) evolution of these characteristic along the training process, and the (b) distinct challenges faced by goalkeepers as they progress through the stages of talent development.

Discussion/Conclusion These findings underscore the need to consider age-related variations in psychological profiles and stress responses when addressing the route to talent development in this underrepresented area of soccer research. The present study contributes to the literature by providing a greater focus on the goalkeeper position, which remains underrepresented in soccer research. Integrating these insights into training programs and developmental strategies would provide sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into practice.