Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/183405 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IFN Working Paper No. 1176
Publisher: 
Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Stockholm
Abstract: 
We find an inverted relation between a player's birthday and the likelihood of receiving the Ballon d'Or (awarded to the best football player in the world). We develop a multi-period skill formation model with selection into elite education. We show that those born late (underdogs) need to work harder to be selected for elite educational programs. However, those born too late will not make the cut-off. Those born late - but not too late - will thus end up with the highest skill levels as adults (educated underdogs). We use detailed data on the performance of elite Swedish football players to illustrate our model. These data provide strong support for the predictions of the model.
Subjects: 
Superstar
Skill formation
Expertise
Relative age effect
Football
Elite education
JEL: 
D10
I20
J70
M50
Z20
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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