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Let's Get Messi? Top-Scorer Productivity in the European Champions League

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  • Tim R. L. Fry
  • Guillaume Galanos
  • Alberto Posso

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="sjpe12044-abs-0001"> Getting a player like Lionel Messi in the squad would seem like a dream come true for a professional football manager, but is it always best to have top-quality players? We study the determinants of top goal-scorers’ productivity in the UEFA Champions League. We find evidence of a concave relationship between age and productivity and uncover an inverted-U relationship between performance and minutes played. Finally, we find a positive effect on height, being left footed and being a striker on the probability of scoring a goal. The results have important implications for managers both in looking to sign on new players and to maximise their potential during a competitive match.

Suggested Citation

  • Tim R. L. Fry & Guillaume Galanos & Alberto Posso, 2014. "Let's Get Messi? Top-Scorer Productivity in the European Champions League," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 61(3), pages 261-279, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scotjp:v:61:y:2014:i:3:p:261-279
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/sjpe.2014.61.issue-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Martina Gianecchini & Alberto Alvisi, 2015. "Late career of superstar soccer players: win, play, or gain?," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0192, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".

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