Footballers: Underestimated Intellectuals, Study Reveals

[Social Media]

 

The stereotype of the “stupid footballer” is far from accurate, according to a recent study that sheds light on the cognitive capabilities of professional players. Scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Oxford University have assessed the cognitive function of footballers and found them to be exceptionally clever. Predrag Petrovic, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized, “These are super-clever individuals in terms of how their brain works. Maybe some of them are not as schooled, but you absolutely cannot dismiss their brains.”

 

This research counters the age-old cliché that the best use of a footballer’s head is simply to hit the ball. Petrovic and his team tested 200 professional players from Brazil and Sweden, evaluating various cognitive abilities such as working memory, executive function, and problem-solving. Remarkably, the footballers consistently outperformed the average person, indicating a high level of cognitive proficiency.

 

Leonardo Bonetti, a co-author of the study from Oxford University, explained that football inherently involves complex problem-solving skills. “When you want to dribble, you need to see very quickly what the defensive player is doing and be faster. If you are a midfielder, you need to plan properly, see the right path, anticipate how defensive players move, then take a decision to calibrate a pass.” These cognitive demands are reflected in the players’ test performances, which placed them in the 90th percentile—equivalent to an IQ of 120 to 130.

 

The study also highlighted the players’ exceptional cognitive flexibility, placing them among the top 1 to 2 percent worldwide in such tests. Petrovic noted, “It is striking how good they are. They belong to the 1 to 2 percent of the best in the world in these tests. These are super-clever individuals.”

 

Despite these findings, the stereotype of the unintelligent footballer persists, partly due to some infamous moments off the pitch. Instances like Jack Grealish struggling to identify England on a map or Mohammed Anas awkwardly thanking both his wife and girlfriend in a post-match interview fuel this misconception. However, Petrovic argues that these anecdotes should not overshadow the players’ intellectual prowess on the field. He stated, “When you speak to these players, they explain how they are always thinking about the next move, about where the space is, several steps ahead. They need to do those types of calculations all the time.”

 

The stereotype of the dim footballer is not confined to the UK. Bonetti mentioned that in Italy, football players are often viewed as lacking intelligence. Similarly, German manager Hans Meyer once remarked, “In every squad there are five really stupid players. One of them would absolutely live under a bridge if he didn’t play football.” 

 

Bonetti believes this misconception stems from the educational background of many players. “Even if they are clever, they are not educated. Most stop at high school, possibly before. This might be related to lower knowledge, not lower intelligence.”

 

Gregor Robertson, a former professional footballer turned journalist for The Times, expressed hope that the study would change public perceptions. “Am I surprised by the findings of this study? Not in the slightest. It’s the capacity to acquire skills and detailed understanding—to learn—that makes elite footballers the very best players of the most popular sport on the planet. The stereotype of the dullard footballer is as old as the hills, but formal education is not the only barometer of intelligence.”

 

David Beckham once famously remarked about his son, “I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don’t know into what religion yet,” a statement often cited as evidence of footballers' supposed lack of intellect. However, this study suggests it’s time to reconsider such stereotypes and recognize the impressive cognitive abilities these athletes possess.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2025-01-23