Re: nytimes.com/2016/10/14/sports/soccer/the-scouting-tools-of-the-pros-a-controller-and-a-video.html
How Video Games Are Changing the Way Soccer Is Played.
Rory Smith for the New York Times:
Before his first few appearances as a teenage striker for Arsenal, Alex Iwobi used to cast his eye over the names of the opposition team, trying to identify his direct opponent.
In most cases, he would find himself up against a player he had never faced. His manager, Arsène Wenger, and Arsenal’s coaching staff would offer counsel, but in lieu of experience Iwobi also would turn to another trusted resource.
“I’d look at his name,” he said, “and then try to remember how good he was on FIFA.”
Other sports video games have similar systems for viewing digital player data, but none have the same global reach or popularity as FIFA.