Barcelona Leads Europe’s “Big Five” Leagues
Barcelona has officially reclaimed its crown as the world’s most productive youth academy. According to the latest report from the CIES Football Observatory, the Catalan giants currently have 40 La Masia graduates playing across Europe’s top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and Serie A).
This achievement puts them ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid, who sit in second place with 35 academy products active in the elite divisions.
The Podium: PSG and the French Connection
The rankings highlight the rising strength of French youth development. Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Champions League winners, complete the podium with 31 graduates. They are closely followed by Stade Rennais, who occupy fourth place with 29 players—solidifying France’s reputation as a talent goldmine.
Top Academies by Number of Players in the “Big Five”: | Rank | Club | Academy Products | | :— | :— | :— | | 1 | Barcelona | 40 | | 2 | Real Madrid | 35 | | 3 | PSG | 31 | | 4 | Rennes | 29 | | 5 | Ajax | 27 | | 6 | Chelsea | 25 |
The Basque Model: Identity and Success
The report also sheds light on the unique models of Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Unlike many clubs that sell their prospects, the Basque teams focus on internal integration:
- Real Sociedad: 24 graduates (15 currently playing for the first team).
- Athletic Bilbao: 20 graduates (12 currently in the first team squad).
- Global Impact: Flamengo and River Plate Represent South America
While European clubs dominate, the report highlights the global reach of South American talent. Flamengo, the current Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão champions, is the only Brazilian club on the list with 11 graduates in Europe. Argentina’s River Plate slightly edges them out with 12 players, while Senegal’s AS Génération Foot remains the sole African representative with 11.
