The relationship between quadriceps muscle temperature (T_m) and sprint performance was evaluated during soccer matches in 25 competitive players. In one game, T_m was determined frequently (n=9). In another game, eight players performed low‐intensity activities at half‐time (re‐warm‐up, (RW), whereas another eight players recovered passively (CON). T_m was 36.0±0.2 °C at rest and increased (P<0.05) to 39.4±0.2 °C before the game and remained unaltered during the first half. At half‐time, T_m decreased (P<0.05) to 37.4±0.2 °C, but increased (P<0.05) to 39.2±°C during the second half. In CON and RW, T_m and core temperature (T_c) were similar before and after the first half, but 2.1±0.1 and 0.9±0.1 °C higher (P<0.05), respectively, in RW prior to the second half. At the onset of the second half, the sprint performance was reduced (P<0.05) by 2.4% in CON, but unchanged in RW. The decrease in T_m was correlated to the decrease in performance (r=0.60, P<0.05, n=16). This study demonstrates that in soccer, the decline in T_m and T_c during half‐time is associated with a lowered sprint capacity at the onset of the second half, whereas sprint performance is maintained when low‐intensity activities preserve muscle temperature.