Bahia steps up talent hunt in the Northeast, key detail | OneFootball

More than 22,000 young players have been scouted by Bahia since 2023 in an operation that has traveled across different states in the Northeast. Of that total, only 152 were approved and brought into the youth academy, showing the scale of the club’s screening process.

RTI Esporte Agency found that the ratio between those scouted and those approved highlights the scope of the work. To reach the 152 selected, Bahia monitored players in tryouts, competitions, social projects, and tournaments in inland areas.

The strategy represents a change in how the club looks for players. Instead of waiting for the top talents to arrive at the training center, Bahia expanded the presence of its scouts in an effort to find them where they live and play.

The goal is also to counter a historic pattern in Brazilian football: the early departure of young Northeastern players to clubs in the South and Southeast before they are even assessed by the main teams in their own region.

Bahia wants to discover talents before they leave

Youth academy director Marcelo Teixeira explained that Bahia maintains a nationwide scouting structure but gives priority to the Northeast. According to him, the club aims to get to know players in the region and offer opportunities before other markets move in on them.

The strategy does not prevent clubs from the South and Southeast from also finding Northeastern players. The difference lies in Bahia’s attempt to get there first and create a development alternative within the region itself.

Scouting goes beyond the training center

The expansion of the scouting network has also changed the way the club looks for its future players. Instead of waiting for youngsters to arrive at the training center, Bahia has started being present where they actually play.

In addition, the work includes official championships, neighborhood tournaments, social projects, communities, and inland cities. The idea is to broaden the reach of scouting and turn environments that normally fall outside the radar of major clubs into places of discovery.

Nationwide network keeps regional priority

Although the Northeast accounts for an important part of the operation, Bahia has also expanded scouting to other regions of Brazil. The move increases the diversity and competitiveness of the youth academy without removing the priority given to players from Bahia and the Northeast.

After being approved, the athletes enter the Pivetes de Aço methodology and receive individualized support. The model aims to speed up development and create pathways for promotion through the age groups.

The numbers show the scale of the project: more than 22,000 scouted and 152 approved since 2023. Bahia is looking to turn its scouting network into a permanent source of talent and bring the club closer to young players across the Northeast.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.