ModK: Formula for Determining the Best Season and Career of a Football Player by Objective Indicators

Abstract

Football is a team sport, but the idol or best football player of the moment or any time is a common pursuit within the sports community. Different strategies are applied in order to find out the top player. The aim of this study is to introduce an objective proposal for the career measurement of football players. A total of 50 players ranked the best of the 21st century, and 14, ranked the best of the 19/20 season of European and world football, had their careers and seasons measured through a formula named ModK. Descriptive statistics characterized the careers and seasons. The Pearson's Correlation Coefficient test was used for the variables used in the formula with the reference ranking, and ModK was performed to measure the strength of association of the rankings. The values of the scores obtained by the ModK formula showed moderate correlation (r=0,416) with the reference ranking. All variables used in the formula showed higher correlations with the ranking Modk formula when compared to the reference ranking. The ModK formula is proven to be effective in evaluating the career or full season of football athletes in an exclusively objective manner, presenting an acceptable correlation with a ranking created by experts.