On the soccer fields of the urban suburbs, in the dusty courtyards of the Brazilian favelas, in the concrete parking lots of the Parisian banlieu or in the academies of the big football clubs, there is a treasure to be discovered. Everywhere the same, personified in many different ways: is talent, that turn a normal kid good at play into a champion.

It is a treasure that can revolutionize the life of a boy and his family, a bet that can be worth a fortune, a business that can move millions, decide a season or a cycle of a club or a national team.

But what exactly is football talent? Is it a simple gesture or an attitude? Is it a gift that comes at birth or something that can be crafted with the right training? And above all, how do you find it, with direct observation or with an algorithm that processes complex data and informations? What details do you need to pay attention to in order  to discover a potential champion?