Global trends and research hotspots in soccer injury literature: A bibliometric analysis (1904-2025).

IMPORTANCE

Soccer is associated with a substantial global injury burden, particularly involving lower-extremity and head injuries. Despite extensive research growth, a comprehensive long-term evaluation of trends, impact, and thematic evolution in soccer injury literature has been lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically map the global landscape of soccer injury research from 1904 to 2025, focusing on publication trends, scientific impact, collaboration networks, and emerging research hotspots. This review emphasizes epidemiology, prevention, and risk factors influencing injury patterns across soccer populations.

EVIDENCE REVIEW: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, including 2864 English-language journal articles and reviews published between 1904 and 2025. A structured search strategy using "soccer/football" and "injury" in titles was applied with predefined filters (articles/reviews, final publication stage, journals, English language). No manual screening was required. Bibliographic data including authors, institutions, countries, citations, and keywords were extracted and analyzed. Descriptive statistics (counts, percentages, citations per paper, and H-index) were used. Network and co-occurrence analyses were performed using VOSviewer to identify collaboration patterns and thematic clusters. No formal risk-of-bias or inferential statistical analyses were performed due to the bibliometric nature of the study.

FINDINGS: Soccer injury research increased markedly from 1 publication in 1904 to 239 in 2025, with accelerated growth after 2006. The United States led in publication volume (28.9%), while Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland demonstrated the highest citation impact. A small group of institutions and authors contributed disproportionately to total output and citations. Leading journals included the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Key research hotspots included injury epidemiology and prevention, workload-related injury risk, and rehabilitation strategies. Knee injuries-particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears-along with hamstring, ankle, and concussion-related injuries dominated the literature. Temporal evolution showed a shift from descriptive epidemiology to integrated models incorporating biomechanics, workload monitoring, and technology-assisted injury prevention.

CONCLUSION

and Relevance: Soccer injury research has evolved into a mature, high-impact, and collaborative field with clear thematic priorities centered on prevention, performance, and rehabilitation. Current evidence highlights the need for improved global collaboration, greater inclusion of underrepresented regions, and integration of advanced technologies such as wearable monitoring and artificial intelligence. Clinicians should prioritize evidence-based prevention strategies, particularly for high-risk injuries such as ACL tears and hamstring strains, while tailoring interventions for specific populations including youth and female athletes. This study provides a strategic framework to guide future research and support clinical decision-making aimed at reducing injury burden and improving athlete outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.