If a player is substituted out, how long do they remain a player for their team?

When a player is substituted out, they remain an official player for their team until their replacement is recognized by the referee. This refers to the moment when the referee acknowledges the new player entering the field, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the game. Substitutions are a regulated part of the game, and the exact moment a player relinquishes their status as an active player is tied to the formal recognition of their substitute.

This understanding is essential in soccer, as it helps prevent any potential confusion on the field regarding the number of active players at any given time. Other options do not align with the rules of the game, as they either misinterpret the timeline of the substitution process or introduce arbitrary time limits which do not exist in the context of player substitutions.