The objective of this study is to utilize the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in order to assess the various factors that influence sports performance (SPP) in football athletes. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of athletes' coping with advers ity (CA), confidence (CNF), concentration (CON), and goal setting (GS) on sports performance while also taking into account the potential mediating effect of athletes' psychological well-being (APB). It was hypothesized that social support (SS) would act as a moderator in the relationship between the independent variables and the mediator. The study utilized a quantitative methodology, specifically employing a survey questionnaire to gather data. The participants of the study were football athletes at the club level in Saudi Arabia, with a total sample size of 350 individuals. The findings confirmed the beneficial influence of computer-assisted instruction (CA) on student performance in the subject of standardized proficiency testing (SPP). Similarly, an elevated level of cognitive need for fulfilment (CNF) and confidence (CON) in athletes results in a heightened state of self-perceived potential (SPP). The study revealed that GS also had an effect on SPP. The results indicate that APB played a significant mediating role in the positive association between CA and SPP, CNF and SPP, as well as CON and SPP. The statistical analysis revealed that the presence of a moderating effect of SS was found to be significant solely in the relationship between GS and SPP. This study has sought to address the dearth of empirical evidence pertaining to mental well-being and its antecedents in relation to sports performance within the context of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, this study contributes original insights by employing Self-Determination Theory (SDT) within the context of sports. Therefore, this study possesses significant theoretical and practical significance.