Best Youth Academy in Europe - Ajax or Barca?

Once upon a time, there was a gang of dacoits. They used to destroy anyone who came in their way. They didn’t simple defeat their opponents, they used to batter them, ruin them and leave them paralysed with distress. They were the dacoits of Amsterdam, and they are Ajax.

Undisputed rulers of 70s, Cruyff and crew ran riots and led their adversaries to miseries. From the kick off to the final whistle, they sprawled the ball everywhere on the field.

But then, somewhere in the midst of Catalonia, there was revolution rising. Red-purple striped men were hungry for glory which wasn’t seemingly far away, craving to become the don of the Spain. And in the year 1992, finally the a new era had begun. In agony, Ajax saw Cruyff crafting and carving Catalan.

F.C. Barcelona weren’t only the European superpower but also the juggernauts of the world football. Yes, there might be no competition now but let us go back in time and see them going head to head.

Let us begin with this epic battle between two of the finest producers of football talents -

History (Sons of the Gods vs It IS-pain)

Let us go down the memory lane in the times of 70s and 90s; the time when “The Jews” or the “The Lancers” were living in their glory days. Ajax then, with legendary Johan Cruyff, Frank De Boer, Marco Van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids and Frank Rijkaard were some of the lads who never ceased to amaze the world with their breathtaking and exhilarating performances.

It was an era when the Netherlands won their first Euro Cup. And it would not be unfair to say that it was Jong Ajax which had sown the seeds and Oranje were the first one to taste its fruits of success. It was the accolade followed by more silverware and European glory.

If we talk about the Catalans, on the contrary, they were just a mediocre side till then, who are now dominating La Roja.

The stars started to sparkle when Pep Guardiola led them to European success in 1992. Till then, they were just a team with calibre and not a force to be reckoned with. However, La Masia produced some of the finest talent with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Suarez (Spain) etc.

Verdict – In round I, Ajax overwhelmed the Spanish troopers.

Present (Amster-damn!)

After this thumping victory over La Masia, Jong Ajax were determined to keep up with their hot streak. But Barcelona was ready to pounce back this time.

Los Cules side currently features nearly all of their academy graduates. This shows there trust and quality over the club’s structure. They have such names as Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, Puyol, Pedro, Busquets and lest we forget, the mesmerizing, miraculous, marvellous Lionel Andres Messi. He makes all the difference between two sides. He’s a player beyond an ordinary footballer; a sublime elite of this beautiful game who can never be replicated or otherwise created, a man destined for stardom, for glory, for pinnacle. His ‘wonders’ as they say, are immense, profuse and unparalleled and do not need any introductions.

Coming back to our topic, Barca proved to be victorious and despots of the game. Messi and co. proved their sovereignty by winning UEFA Champions League 4 times, UEFA Super Cup 4 times and also UEFA Cup Winners Cup 4 times along with a myriad of domestic cups. In stark contrast to this, European giant ajax has become just another team in Europe. The tables turned around, favouring the Catalan giants.

But, surprisingly Dutch giants from Amsterdam were too old a bird to be caught with a chaff. When they tuned their cards, it included the names of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, Gregory van der Wiel, Nigel de Jong and a new arrival of Luis Suarez from Uruguay added much needed firepower. All made an impressive impact on the world football.

Verdict

Although Ajax has produced some of the biggest names, players are still living in the shadows of Barcelona. They managed to keep the string tight on their crops, but sadly, Barca products failed to prosper everywhere else but at Catalonia. But on the other side, Amsterdam’s boys always made a mark in other clubs and made Jong Ajax proud.

In this round, there is a twist in the tale. Our readers will have the verdict of this round will be in their hand.

Future (La Messiah!)

Entering into the final round of this battle, this one is about the future prospects offered by either sides. While Dutch capital’s lads looked to seal the game at once, Blaugranes had something else in their mind.

So yet again, it was Ajax who stepped ahead. Siem de Jong, Toby Alderweireld, Victor Fischer looked firm and why not, they were led by 20 year old Danish Christian Eriksen, who is an exceptional package of tricks and skills accompanied with passing and finishing attributes.

La Masia seemed to be prepared this time, when they ordered their battalion to march ahead, and the dacoits were left spellbound. Christian Tello, Marc Bartra, Martin Montoya, Gerard Deulofeu and Issac Cuenca’s illustrious display never gave Jong Ajax a chance to counter. All these players are a joyful blend of talent, skills and experience, something which makes every manager buzz around them.

Verdict

This round, Barca took the revenge of the heavy defeat in the first stage as they never seemed to be losing this bout.

So, in the best of three battle for the European dominance, Ajax Amsterdam showed why they were the “sons of God” in the past. FC Barcelona brushed them aside when it came to hot prospects of future. But there is still one criteria, one last round to be conquered – the Present. With both the sides offering the biggest names in the world of football, it seemed almost impossible to pick anyone. So we will leave the decider in your hand to choose – The Best Youth Academy in Europe is…