ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF INJURIES IN ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS WITH REGARD TO ANKLE INJURY

Abstract

The main aim of the current research is to determine the differences and correlations of sport seasons and economic statistics between the highest paid soccer players in the world, with an ankle injury in addition to other injuries and without an ankle injury. By comparing highest paid soccer players in the world (N=95), i.e., a sub-sample of players with an ankle injury (N=44), and a sub-sample of players without an ankle injury (N=51), it is possible to conclude that significant differences were not found in the variables of age, market value, the number of matches completed, the number of goals scored and the number of assists, as well as in the derived variables of the value of one player's day and the value of one match. In the basic variables the number of days missed due to injuries (222.61±165.61 vs 124.98±110.59), the number of seasons with injuries (5.68±2.23 vs 4.53±2.73) and the number of matches missed due to injuries (35.32±28.07 vs 20.12±19.2), as well as in the derived variables of number of days missed due to injuries per year (40.4±29.33 vs 27.16±18.18), number of games missed due to injuries per year (6.23±3.83 vs 4.32±3.21), value of days missed due to injuries (£7,627±£5,898 vs £5,070±£3,634) and the value of matches missed due to injuries (£13,134±£12,461 vs £9,276±£9,158), statistically significant differences were determined. All determined values were higher in the sub-sample of players who, in addition to other injuries, suffered from an ankle injury as well. In the multivariate exploration of the structure of the basic research variables, the results obtained indicate a latent space that had an interpretable three-dimensional structure. The structure of the space indicated a functionally independent relationship between the frequency and intensity of injury, on the one hand, and the chronological age, the value of the transfer and the player's efficacy on the other. It can be concluded that sports injuries, and ankle injuries especially in elite soccer players, have significant economic reprisals.