The number of athletes acting outside their countries of birth grows every year, as do those who also choose to defend another national team. Faced with this phenomenon, the objective of this study was to conceptualize the process of expatriation in two sports (Soccer and Volleyball) through an essay, in which qualitative research was used from the perspective of documentary analysis, pointing out the state of the art in this subject. The results indicate that the main reasons given by athletes to justify the expatriation process are economic and professional, such as salary and career opportunities improvement. On the other hand, the difficulties found by athletes in the process are closely related to the lack of family with the athlete after expatriation. With this, the literature points to the need for multidisciplinary preparation and monitoring for those who decide to leave their country, to avoid damages in sports performance.

Globalization makes expatriation an increasingly present reality, whether in the lives of employees of multinational companies or athletes. Therefore, the objective of this essay was to conceptuate the International Human Resources Management (IHRM) and to point out the relationship of such phenomenon with the career management conducted by the person participating in this process of "expatriation", both in corporate and sports contexts. For this, it was based on the methodological design of a qualitative research on the perspective of documental analysis. As the main reflections of this essay, we emphasize that, although it is considered fundamental, the IHRM is better developed in companies, while in sports clubs this is a secondary concern. It is also noteworthy the importance of athletes and expatriate employees to undergo a process of preparation, both from the psychological and social, economic and cultural point of view, so that the changes are faced in the best possible way.