Top 5 Best Football Academies in Europe
Football academies teach the beautiful game to prospective players as young as 5 or 6. They hone and refine their natural abilities and shape them into incredible players that can really impact a match. From legends of the past to stars of today, they all started somewhere.
Today we'll be looking at the 5 best football academies in Europe, analysing factors such as the quality of facilities, experience of staff and the achievements of their most famous academy graduates.
5. Sporting CP Youth Academy
Based in Lisbon, the Sporting CP Youth Academy is the gateway for talented youngsters to break into the Sporting CP first team. The academy is broken down into 5 youth squads: U19s, U17s, U17s (B), U15s, U15s (B).
The current academy was built in 2002, with 1 full size pitch, 4 smaller training pitches and a separate area for goalie training. It also includes study rooms and a medical center with treatment rooms, a jacuzzi, gym, showers and bedrooms.
At Euro 2016, 10 Sporting CP Youth Academy graduates played in the final where Portugal beat France. Additionally at the 2018 World Cup, 14 academy graduates were registered to play at the tournament, making it the most well represented youth academy at the tournament.
Achievements of academy products:
Cristiano Ronaldo - For many, he is the greatest footballer of all time, he is the hero that people worship and idolise, he is the master creation of the Sporting CP Youth Academy.
Renowned for his supreme finishing ability. reflected in his goal tally of over 700 goals during the course of his career. He holds goalscoring records such as all-time top scorer in the Champions League and at the Euros.
A talisman that is an extremely influential player on and off the pitch, Ronaldo has been voted by fellow footballers into the FIFPRO World XI a legendary 12 times. He has won a joint-record 5 Ballon d'Ors and 5 Champions League trophies.
The all-time top international scorer in Europe with 93 goals for Portugal including crucial strikes that led them to European Championship glory in 2016.
Ronaldo is adored by fans everywhere, but whether you love him or hate him you cannot ignore his stats.
4. FC Bayern Munich Junior Team
The FC Bayern Munich Junior Team was formed in 1902 and reconstructed in 1995. They train players from U9s to U19s, with talented staff including all-time FIFA World Cup and Germany top scorer Miroslav Klose.
There are over 150 young footballers at the academy, where they learn to play in a traditional 4-3-3 system in no more than 1 or 2 positions.
The academy is based around the €70 million FC Bayern Campus in Munich, which boasts 8 football pitches, apartment blocks, offices and a 2,500 capacity stadium.
Achievements of academy products:
Bayern Munich academy products were crucial members of the squads that won the presitigious FIFA World Cup in '74, '90 and 2014. Former players Franz Beckenbauer and Phillip Lahm were both captains and helped lead Germany to victory.
What does this say about the youth academy set up at Bayern Munich? - They produce players that go on to be leaders and world champions, the elite footballers of their time.
Historically, United have had youth teams ever since the 1930s, this academy was established in the 1990s though. Their youth teams have always had great success, holding the record of 10 FA Youth Cup titles.
The academy is located at the Aon Training Complex in Carrington, Manchester and makes up 85 acres of land. The academy facilities include a full-size indoor and outdoor pitch with heated ground and floodlights, several dressing rooms, staff training rooms and educational facilities for younger players.
The top 5 all-time Manchester United appearance makers came from the academy, making several hundred appearances for the club and dedicating a decade to the Old Trafford faithful.
Achievements of academy products:
The famed Class of '92 - Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Phil Neville, Gary Neville
The ultimate representation of youth academy success. These 6 players grew from young talented fledglings to world class maestros. After graduating from the academy in 1992 these stars would go on to win 4 Premier League titles together and a legendary treble in 1999. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes ended up playing their entire career at Manchester United and won a couple more Premier League titles and the Champions League again in 07/08.
The Class of '92 were truly legendary, their unprecedented rise to glory is forever cemented in Manchester United and English football folklore.
2. Ajax Youth Academy
Last season a young Ajax side stormed to the semi-finals of the Champions League, winning the hearts of all neutral fans - fans whose team are no longer in the competition - all over the world. Ajax have long been known for it's fine youth academy and are reliant on graduates to help Ajax maintain dominance in the Eredivisie.
Founded in 1900, the Ajax Youth Academy consists of 13 youth squads from ages 7-18, prospects are taught to play in the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 system so they can transition into first team football more easily.
Located in Amsterdam, the academy is situated at Sportpark De Toekomst, which includes 7 football fields for player development and an Adidas Performance Centre where players can improve their game using scientific analytics.
Achievements of academy products:
Johan Cruyff guided Ajax to 8 Eredivisie titles and 3 consecutive European Cups, winning 3 Ballon d'Ors along the way.
Marco van Basten also scooped up 3 Ballon d'Ors in his illustrious career where together with Frank Rijkaard, won '88 European Championship with Netherlands and the Champions League twice with Milan.
Rijkaard, along with Edwin van der Sar and Clarence Seedorf, powered Ajax to their 4th Champions League trophy in 94/95. After this, they would part ways and win the Champions League in 6 different occasions collectively.
The most recent gem to flourish from the mine of the Ajax Youth Academy is Matthijs de Ligt. who made his debut at 17, the youngest of any Dutchman since 1931. A brilliant, mature defender who was steadfast at centre-back last season secured a 70 million euro transfer to Juventus last month and has already played his first game for them. Moreover, de Ligt received the Golden Boy award of 2018, this puts him in good company as previous recipients include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Kylian Mbappe.
Messi is a long-time servant to Barcelona and a true 'one-club man', having scored over 600 goals in over 700 games. Astonishing! Messi has led Barcelona to 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions Leagues, including winning the treble twice. He's also the recipient of a joint-record 5 Ballon d'Ors and has won numerous individual awards.
Thanks for reading! Comment down below if you agree / disagree or have any suggestions for future posts.
Please share if you enjoyed it would be appreciated greatly :)
Kevin @ Football: The Next Generation
Today we'll be looking at the 5 best football academies in Europe, analysing factors such as the quality of facilities, experience of staff and the achievements of their most famous academy graduates.
Based in Lisbon, the Sporting CP Youth Academy is the gateway for talented youngsters to break into the Sporting CP first team. The academy is broken down into 5 youth squads: U19s, U17s, U17s (B), U15s, U15s (B).
The current academy was built in 2002, with 1 full size pitch, 4 smaller training pitches and a separate area for goalie training. It also includes study rooms and a medical center with treatment rooms, a jacuzzi, gym, showers and bedrooms.
Achievements of academy products:
Cristiano Ronaldo - For many, he is the greatest footballer of all time, he is the hero that people worship and idolise, he is the master creation of the Sporting CP Youth Academy.
Renowned for his supreme finishing ability. reflected in his goal tally of over 700 goals during the course of his career. He holds goalscoring records such as all-time top scorer in the Champions League and at the Euros.
A talisman that is an extremely influential player on and off the pitch, Ronaldo has been voted by fellow footballers into the FIFPRO World XI a legendary 12 times. He has won a joint-record 5 Ballon d'Ors and 5 Champions League trophies.
The all-time top international scorer in Europe with 93 goals for Portugal including crucial strikes that led them to European Championship glory in 2016.
Ronaldo is adored by fans everywhere, but whether you love him or hate him you cannot ignore his stats.
4. FC Bayern Munich Junior Team
The FC Bayern Munich Junior Team was formed in 1902 and reconstructed in 1995. They train players from U9s to U19s, with talented staff including all-time FIFA World Cup and Germany top scorer Miroslav Klose.
There are over 150 young footballers at the academy, where they learn to play in a traditional 4-3-3 system in no more than 1 or 2 positions.
The academy is based around the €70 million FC Bayern Campus in Munich, which boasts 8 football pitches, apartment blocks, offices and a 2,500 capacity stadium.
Bayern Munich academy products were crucial members of the squads that won the presitigious FIFA World Cup in '74, '90 and 2014. Former players Franz Beckenbauer and Phillip Lahm were both captains and helped lead Germany to victory.
What does this say about the youth academy set up at Bayern Munich? - They produce players that go on to be leaders and world champions, the elite footballers of their time.
- Academy graduates that became FIFA World Cup winners
- 1974 - Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Hans-GeorgSchwarzenbeck
- 1990 - Klaus Augenthaler, Hans Pflügler
- 2014 - Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos
Historically, United have had youth teams ever since the 1930s, this academy was established in the 1990s though. Their youth teams have always had great success, holding the record of 10 FA Youth Cup titles.
The academy is located at the Aon Training Complex in Carrington, Manchester and makes up 85 acres of land. The academy facilities include a full-size indoor and outdoor pitch with heated ground and floodlights, several dressing rooms, staff training rooms and educational facilities for younger players.
The top 5 all-time Manchester United appearance makers came from the academy, making several hundred appearances for the club and dedicating a decade to the Old Trafford faithful.
The famed Class of '92 - Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Phil Neville, Gary Neville
The ultimate representation of youth academy success. These 6 players grew from young talented fledglings to world class maestros. After graduating from the academy in 1992 these stars would go on to win 4 Premier League titles together and a legendary treble in 1999. Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes ended up playing their entire career at Manchester United and won a couple more Premier League titles and the Champions League again in 07/08.
The Class of '92 were truly legendary, their unprecedented rise to glory is forever cemented in Manchester United and English football folklore.
Last season a young Ajax side stormed to the semi-finals of the Champions League, winning the hearts of all neutral fans - fans whose team are no longer in the competition - all over the world. Ajax have long been known for it's fine youth academy and are reliant on graduates to help Ajax maintain dominance in the Eredivisie.
Founded in 1900, the Ajax Youth Academy consists of 13 youth squads from ages 7-18, prospects are taught to play in the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 system so they can transition into first team football more easily.
Located in Amsterdam, the academy is situated at Sportpark De Toekomst, which includes 7 football fields for player development and an Adidas Performance Centre where players can improve their game using scientific analytics.
Johan Cruyff guided Ajax to 8 Eredivisie titles and 3 consecutive European Cups, winning 3 Ballon d'Ors along the way.
Marco van Basten also scooped up 3 Ballon d'Ors in his illustrious career where together with Frank Rijkaard, won '88 European Championship with Netherlands and the Champions League twice with Milan.
Rijkaard, along with Edwin van der Sar and Clarence Seedorf, powered Ajax to their 4th Champions League trophy in 94/95. After this, they would part ways and win the Champions League in 6 different occasions collectively.
The most recent gem to flourish from the mine of the Ajax Youth Academy is Matthijs de Ligt. who made his debut at 17, the youngest of any Dutchman since 1931. A brilliant, mature defender who was steadfast at centre-back last season secured a 70 million euro transfer to Juventus last month and has already played his first game for them. Moreover, de Ligt received the Golden Boy award of 2018, this puts him in good company as previous recipients include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Kylian Mbappe.
1. La Masia (Barcelona)
Founded in 1979, La Masia translates to 'The Farmhouse', referring to an old farmhouse used by Barcelona to house academy players up until 2011. In 2011 the 70 million euro construction of Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was completed and the academy moved there.
The facility covers over 24 acres of land and consists of 9 football pitches, a pool, sauna, medical rooms and gymnasiums.
Children enter the academy from the ages of 6-8, thousands apply every year but only a select few are even considered. Youth scouts are sent all over Spain and the rest of the world, with other youth facilities in Mexico and Egypt.
The best young players move from the academy to the Barcelona B side that play professionally in the second division of Spanish football. Key Barcelona B players have the chance to potentially breakthrough into the Barcelona first team.
Achievements of academy products:
Guardiola's Barcelona (2008-2012) - An incredibly talented squad filled with homegrown talent, half the starting XI were always products of La Masia, in their years under Guardiola they'd go on to win many trophies.
Pep Guardiola, a former La Masia graduate himself, made nearly 400 appearances for Barcelona, won 6 La Liga titles and many European trophies with them. When he returned to Barca as manager, he guided the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Pique - all from the La Masia academy - to 3 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Reys and 2 Champions Leagues including the famous treble in the 2008/09 season.
Lionel Messi - His nickname is 'GOAT' (greatest of all time), what more do I have to say? La Masia delivered one of the world's most exciting players and presented him on the world stage. Messi is an inspirational figure to all, his trophies, his goals, his skills.Founded in 1979, La Masia translates to 'The Farmhouse', referring to an old farmhouse used by Barcelona to house academy players up until 2011. In 2011 the 70 million euro construction of Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was completed and the academy moved there.
The facility covers over 24 acres of land and consists of 9 football pitches, a pool, sauna, medical rooms and gymnasiums.
The best young players move from the academy to the Barcelona B side that play professionally in the second division of Spanish football. Key Barcelona B players have the chance to potentially breakthrough into the Barcelona first team.
Guardiola's Barcelona (2008-2012) - An incredibly talented squad filled with homegrown talent, half the starting XI were always products of La Masia, in their years under Guardiola they'd go on to win many trophies.
Pep Guardiola, a former La Masia graduate himself, made nearly 400 appearances for Barcelona, won 6 La Liga titles and many European trophies with them. When he returned to Barca as manager, he guided the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Pique - all from the La Masia academy - to 3 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Reys and 2 Champions Leagues including the famous treble in the 2008/09 season.
Messi is a long-time servant to Barcelona and a true 'one-club man', having scored over 600 goals in over 700 games. Astonishing! Messi has led Barcelona to 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions Leagues, including winning the treble twice. He's also the recipient of a joint-record 5 Ballon d'Ors and has won numerous individual awards.
Thanks for reading! Comment down below if you agree / disagree or have any suggestions for future posts.
Please share if you enjoyed it would be appreciated greatly :)
Kevin @ Football: The Next Generation
No doubt some of the future stars will be borne out of these acedemies.
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