Brazil has traditionally depended on scouts, academy networks and local contacts to find the next generation. That system has produced stars, but it can leave players outside the major football centres with little opportunity to be noticed.
The new approach starts with a smartphone and a series of football exercises. Players accelerate, control the ball and dribble through cones while the application assesses movement, speed and technique. The first filter is no longer limited to an observer standing beside a pitch.
The report says major Brazilian clubs have begun exploring these tools, though their long-term influence remains unproven.
The appeal is obvious. A young player from a smaller city may now have a route into a wider scouting conversation without already belonging to a famous academy or trusted network.
Wittmann’s second message - “Esta é uma grande chance para eles serem vistos” - captures the promise. AI can help clubs process more applications and identify players who might otherwise remain hidden.
But technology also has limits. A controlled drill cannot fully measure decision-making in a match, personality under pressure, tactical awareness or the quality of a player’s football environment. Access to a suitable phone, pitch and internet connection may also shape who gets the chance to be assessed.
The most likely future is not scouts disappearing, but scouts arriving later in the process. An algorithm may create a shortlist; coaches and recruitment staff still need to watch players in real matches, speak to families and judge how they develop over time.
That balance will define whether AI becomes a genuine opportunity or simply another gatekeeper. The next storyline to watch is whether these digital discoveries receive sustained trials and academy places - and whether Brazil’s traditional talent machine becomes more open as a result.