Thousands of football academies exist across the world, but only a few have a global reputation.
The best football academies in the world are located in the heart of Europe. They have produced some of the biggest names in football history.
So, are you ready to find out more about the best soccer academies that nurture young football talents into professionals?
Let’s read what made them so unique.
10. River Plate Football Academy
Founded: 1901
Location: Núñez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Notable players: Alfredo di Stefano, Herman Crespo, Omar Sivori, Javier Mascherano
The academy was founded in 1901 and became one of the best soccer youth academies in South America.
It has two internal fractions:
- first division club Millonario,
- lower division, known as “El Semillero.”
The academy has a proven track record of producing top-quality footballers. In addition, many of its graduates have successful professional careers.
9. São Paulo
Founded: 1930
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Notable players: Kaka, Oscar Emboaba, David Luis, Lucas Moura
The academy offers a perfect recipe for creating top soccer professionals. It includes:
- a successful team
- a fully-equipped stadium
- abundant health programs in the heart of “the country of football.”
The youths are training intensively on the colossal stadium ground at CFA Cotia.
The academy attendants are segregated into multiple teams. The earliest group training starts from age 9, all the way to 16.
The Academy alumni are currently playing worldwide, from Japan to America.
Moreover, the top 5 European leagues prove that this is one of the best soccer academies in the world.
8. Chelsea FC Academy
Founded: 1948
Location: Cobham, Surrey, Chelsea – UK
Notable Players: Bert Murray, John Hollins, Ray Wilkins, John Terry
Chelsea FC Academy operates and competes in all available minor leagues.
One of the top soccer academies in the world prepares young professionals from 9 to 23.
But, because of their excellent techniques, they can get a contract even before that age.
So they are the ones who show extraordinary results in the entire selection process. It means, from training to mental and physical capabilities and personal behaviour.
In recent years they’ve produced some quality young players such as Mason Mount, Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson Odoi.
7. Bayern Munich
Founded: 1902
Location: Munich, Germany (main HQ)
Notable Players: Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos
The honoured German club is based in Munich, Bavaria and is one of the most successful clubs in Europe and worldwide.
The majority of the youth enrolled in the academy are of German blood.
The academy helps players to build up their soccer careers from scratch. So, players practise principles of discipline in the mental and physical fields.
Sports journals reported that the estimated cost to “run” the Bavarian talent-making machine is around £2.5 million per year.
6. Borussia Dortmund
Founded: 1909
Location: Brackel, Dortmund, Germany
Notable Players: Mario Gotze, Lars Ricken, Marco Reus, David Wagner, Kevin Großkreutz.
One of the best football academies in the world is the Borussia Dortmund Youth Club. It represents strict German discipline for the football youth on their way to a professional career.
Lars Ricken has been the manager since 2008. He operates with the youth players segregated into 15 teams. They are training in Hohenbusch and playing matches there.
The club has also established partnerships with the USA. It also competes in major tournaments and leagues under 19 and 17.
Finally, this German side is also known for having the craziest football fans known as the Die Schwarzgelben.
5. Real Madrid (La Fábrica)
Founded: 1942
Location: Valdebebas, Ciudad Real Madrid, Spain
Notable Players: Samuel Eto’o, Dani Carvajal,Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo, Raul, Iker Casillas
The list of notable players from the worldwide famous La Fabrica is endless.
Despite Real Madrid being notorious for buying expensive and talented players, the crafted ones from the academy also get a chance to play in the dream team.
But most of them get sold for a lot of money and are still included in the top Euro teams.
La Fabrica is one of the oldest football academies globally. It produces not players but coaches’ talent and techniques for a lifetime.
Real’s legendary goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, is one of the best-retired football players today and is an academy alumnus who was part of the expensive “Galactico” project of Florentino Perez.
4. Manchester United Academy
Founded:1878, under the name Newton Heath Reserves
Location: Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
Notable Players: David Beckham, Danny Welbeck, Paul Pogba, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs
Besides being one of the most valuable sports teams in the world, the Red Devils are also known for their top soccer academies in the world that produce top talent each year.
The former legend and one of the most honoured managers in the PL, Sir Alex Ferguson, places a high value on fostering domestic talent.
With 9 of their youth players included in the English football Hall of fame, teams have no regrets about purchasing players from the academy. So, it has become a tradition of existence and excellence.
The current manager is Neil Wood, a former player who has decided on a coaching career turnover.
3. Ajax Youth Academy
Founded: 1900
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Notable Players: Frank Rijkaard, Patrick Kluivert, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong
Ajax is among the best football academies in the world.
It has developed the TIPS model and emphasises the focus on player’s
- technique
- insight
- personality
- speed.
Every alumni participant and player has a special passport from the academy. It means that players’ achievements and accomplishments are written down from the earliest age.
In short, a convenient way to track progress.
Moreover, Ajax Youth Academy has built a name on its own, despite the achievements of the leading team.
2. Sporting CP Youth Academy
Founded: 1906
Location: Academia Sporting, Alochete, Portugal
Notable Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, João Moutinho, William Carvalho
Sporting Academy is one of the most favoured by European teams.
They want to spend their off-season break there and socialise with other professionals.
It offers an excellent location, facilities’ capacity, and equipment.
Moreover, there are excellent coaches, each with their trademark and speciality.
Both Manchester United stars, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo started their respective career at Sporting young academy.
1. Barcelona (La Masia) – Barca Academy
Founded: 1979
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Notable Players: Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol
It is the best academy football players could attend.
La Masia is a school for well-tailed sports and disciplined behaviour, producing players with class and dignity.
One of the most famous football players from the academy is Messi. He has been honoured with the most Ballon d’Or awards in history.
However, the currently rising superstar, Pedri, is one of the academy’s alumni.
Final Words
The best football academies in the world are essential for developing young talents. So they provide a place for players to hone their skills and learn from experienced coaches.
While not all top football players come from academies, they give players a chance at making it big in the sport.