Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite many young players showing strong potential, only a small fraction succeeds in the critical transition from youth to elite senior football. This scoping review synthesizes research on the junior-to-senior transition in men's football, identifying main topics related with barriers and facilitators in the transition. METHODS: Searches were performed in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA, 2020) guidelines, using the following keywords: "football*" OR football AND talent* OR "talent identification" OR "talent development" OR expert* OR gift* AND "junior-to-senior" OR "transition career" or "athlete career transition" OR "transition phase". Original articles in English focused on the junior-to-senior process in male footballers were included. RESULTS: From 5307 titles, 35 studies met eligibility criteria. The most examined themes were psychosocial factors, including social support, stressors, and resilience. The reviewed studies identified organizational structure and effective club communication as facilitators and emphasized the importance of physical attributes to meet senior-level demands. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the junior-to-senior transition is multifaceted, shaped by psychosocial, organizational, and physical factors. Despite robust research, gaps remain; future longitudinal and interdisciplinary studies should inform evidence-based strategies for optimizing player development and retention.