Sports Psychology in Soccer and Futsal: pathways to the integral development of athletes

Abstract

The preparation of soccer and futsal athletes is increasingly interdisciplinary, yet the understanding of Sports Psychology among professionals in these fields remains insufficient to meet the needs of clubs and positively impact the performance of athletes and their teams. Objective: To address the main themes of Sports Psychology in soccer and futsal, identifying findings and potential gaps in the literature that contribute to advancement of the field. Methods: We conducted an integrative review using the Scielo, PubMed, and SportDiscus databases, evaluating articles published over the past five years, in both Portuguese and English, using the descriptors soccer, futsal, Sports Psychology, and Psychology. Results: 58 studies were selected, categorized into review, intervention, or assessment articles. We observed a predominance of studies on anxiety, mental fatigue, and group cohesion, although 30 psychological aspects were addressed. Brazil had the highest number of publications. Conclusions: Despite the relevance of studied themes, other psychological factors that impact athletes' performance and well-being need to be explored. Integrating psychological interventions with physical, technical, and tactical is essential for developing well-rounded athletes. Future research should focus on less explored psychological skills, reinforcing them as pillars for the integral development of athletes and sporting success in Brazil.