A psychologist explains the five mental skills behind Messi, Mbappé and Haaland’s success (opens original article in a new tab)

A sports psychologist outlines five mental skills crucial for success in soccer, including disruption tactics, attentional fitness, controlled mind-wandering, resilience, and tactical creativity.

• Disruption tactics include high-speed counterattacks and high-pressure strategies to disrupt opponents
• Attentional fitness involves maintaining focus and cognitive efficiency under pressure
• Controlled mind-wandering allows players to process information differently and gain broader game perspectives
• Tactical creativity relies on divergent thinking and adaptability in complex situations