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Youth academies are involved in the development of a footballer since the very start of his career. Their job involves recognizing the potential of youngsters and nurturing them with utmost care. And when a particular player makes it to the highest level, it is their hard work that reflects in his style of play.
Moreover, youth academies also play a vital role in maintaining the traditions and principles of their clubs; a crucial reason why they warrant huge financial investments at any footballing institution.
Coming to the current generation of footballers, the era of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and the players of their age group, is steadily drawing to a close. Hence, there is a need for a fresh crop of world-class talents.
That being said, let's have a look at the top ten academies that have currently taken on the mantle of producing the next generation of top-notch footballers.
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#10 Schalke 04
Schalke 04's inclusion to this list might take you by surprise. But the club's youth academy, Schalke 04 Knappenschmiede, boasts a great number of homegrown players to justify their place on this list.
Surely, everyone must know Leroy Sane by now. The burgeoning talent has lit up the Premier League this season after coming through the youth ranks of Die Knappen. The German club has also produced players such as Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer who have been notable names in the German national squad.
Coming to the current crop of youngsters, the likes of Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer have already become the hottest talents in the market owing to their impressive displays for the club.
Notable Alumni: Benedikt Howedes, Christoph Metzelder, Jens Lehmann, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, Julian Draxler.
Upcoming talents: Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka.
#9 Southampton
The Southampton Youth Academy is one of the biggest institutions that aim to nurture young footballers and help them build successful careers. The Saints have been praised by many for developing a world-class academy. Being a Southampton graduate is considered as a seal of approval and a proof of quality around the globe.
Apart from the upbringing, the club also allows the players to flourish in their first team. Approximately 50% of the club's first-team squad are homegrown talents; a reason why they are regarded as one of the best clubs for youngsters around the globe.
As of now, the club has produced a couple of youngsters like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers, who are plying their trades for the biggest clubs in the Premier League. Also, it would be a sin to not mention the fact that Gareth Bale, one of the best attackers of this age, hails from the Saints youth academy.
Notable Alumni: Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain.
Upcoming talents: James Ward-Prowse, Ryan Seager, Jack Rose.
#8 Santos
14th April 1912. That's the day when the huge Titanic met a tragic end following a collision with an iceberg, subsequently drowning in the sea and swallowing thousands of lives.
However, the same day also saw the establishment of FC Santos, a football club 50 miles from Sao Paolo in Brazil; a football club that would gain worldwide recognition for churning out exquisite footballing talent.
Across the world, the Brazilian club has 92 youth academies bearing its name. The fact that 10% of the total annual income is invested into their youth academy is a testament to their attempts to produce young talented players.
Santos have proudly claimed to have scored over 12000 goals in their 106-year history - a result of the free-flowing attack-minded philosophy that is followed at the club.
Apart from producing a plethora of world-class talents, Santos is also credited for producing one of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen, the man who renamed football as 'The Beautiful Game' - Pele.
After his legendary exploits, Santos saw a rise in their popularity as an institution that promotes young stars. Fair to say, the club hasn't disappointed in producing raw talent since then.
Notable Alumni: Neymar, Pele, Robinho.
Upcoming talents: Thiago Maia, Diogo Vitor, Emerson.
#7 Sporting CP
The Sporting C.P. Youth Academy has established themselves as the premium hub of talent development in Portugal. Christened 'Escolas Academia Sporting', the institution has also been lauded for its top-quality infrastructure. The facilities are a crucial reason why many European clubs prefer to train at the academy in the off-season.
With the Ballon d'Or winners like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo passing through their ranks, they are bound to be counted amongst the best, aren't they? Also, the likes of Adrien Silva, Simao and Eric Dier have made it to the top level after learning their trade at the club.
Apart from being a big feeder to their first team, the youth academy has also produced a noteworthy number of players to the national squad. In Portugal's 2016 Euro Cup-winning campaign, the Verde e brancos produced a whopping 10 of the 14 players from the squad that faced France in the finals.
With such an institution that produces a plethora of budding talent, the Portuguese national squad certainly need not worry about their future.
Notable Alumni: Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Quaresma, Nani, Joao Moutinho, Eric Dier.
Upcoming talents: Gelson Martins, Elves Balde, Miguel Luis.
#6 River Plate
Ranked as the ninth best club in FIFA's Club of the Century list, Argentinian giants River Plate were founded in May 1901. They are regarded as the most successful club in Argentina, thanks to their tally of 36 league titles and 9 national cups. However, it is their youth system that has earned them a worldwide reputation in football.
Coming to their recruitments, the River Plate scouts usually scour the streets looking for raw talents. The club focuses on a small-sided game play such as 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5.
However, their inclination towards 4v2, 4v3, and 5v2 is actually what makes them special. Playing in such rigorous conditions ensures that a player gets well-acquainted with tight situations.
Additionally, their youth teams constantly tour the South-American countries for various youth tournaments; an activity that extends the required invaluable experience to their players from a young age. As a result of their dedicated way of developing players, their end-products turn out not only for them but also for Europe's top clubs.
Notable Alumni: Alfredo Di Stefano, Daniel Passarella, Pablo Aimar, Radamel Falcao, Hernan Crespo.
Upcoming talent: Matias Kranevitter
#5 Boca Juniors
Established in 1910, Boca Juniors have admired and pursued the art of producing youngsters instead of investing in the transfer market. Thanks to their traditions and principles, they have produced and sold approximately 350 homegrown players to date.
Nicknamed as the 'Boca Factory', their youth academy has teams from U8 to U20 levels. The players are taught to play in a 4-3-1-2 formation from an early age so that they don't face problems adjusting to the club's first team.
Coming to their scouting network, the club has a scout in almost every small town and village in Argentina. A large number of them are commoners like policemen, teachers, butchers and people following other different professions. Their comprehensive scouting strategy enables them to unearth gems from almost every nook and corner in the country.
Notable Alumni: Fernando Gago. Carlos Tevez, Ever Banega.
Upcoming talents: Andre Cubas, Franco Cristalo, Guido Vadala, Leandro Paredes.
#4 Bayern Munich
German heavyweights Bayern Munich can easily be considered as the country's Mecca for producing youngsters. Like many others on this list, the Bavarians have done extremely well in contributing to the development of novices.
To facilitate the club's ongoing tradition with upcoming talents, they have always introduced players from their youth academy to the main team instead of spending heavily in the transfer market.
In an age where clubs are spending madly in the market, Corentin Tolisso is their most expensive player at €41.5 million. That is very much in contrast to other heavyweights who boast record signings in the range of €90 million.
In order to maintain and preserve their principles, Bayern opened a new youth academy worth £64 million last year. Not only will those steps help them, but it will also prove beneficial for the overall betterment of the game in the youth department.
Notable Alumni: Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Thomas Mueller, Matts Hummels.
Upcoming talents: Christian Fruchtl, Niklas Dorsch, Felix Götze.
#3 Ajax
Since its inception as a football club in 1900, Dutch champions Ajax boast a wealthy contribution when it comes to the production of distinguished players in the game's history. Their youth academy has oozed out a surfeit of legends. These players have played a big part in making de Godenzonen the most successful Dutch club in football.
Consisting of a total of 13 youth teams, the Ajax Youth Academy is also credited with producing the TIPS model (Technique, Insight, Personality & Speed), a program they follow for developing their young starlets. According to the model, Technique and Insight are the areas that can be developed, with the latter two being inborn attributes.
Coming to their list of legends, they have produced names they can be proud of and brag about.
Notable Alumni: Johan Cruyff, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf.
Upcoming talents: Matthijs De Ligt, Justin Kluivert.
#2 Manchester United
Machester United's philosophy of producing superstars dates back to the years of the Busby Babes. Also, since the tragic demise of those footballers after the plane crash, the club's youth academy has played a major role, helping the club gain ground in becoming one of the greatest teams in the sport.
Sir Alex Ferguson, in his 25-year tenure at the club, also played a crucial part in continuing the tradition of nurturing youngsters. Regarded as one of the best managers in history, he is credited for the upbringing of the famous Class of '92.
Coming to the present age, the Red Devils have produced some really talented footballers who have the potential to be counted amongst the very best in the near future. Also, United have done a great deal in purchasing youngsters for the first team and developing them.
Surely, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and David De Gea have done well to cement their places in history, haven't they?
Notable Alumni: Bobby Charlton, George Best, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard.
Upcoming talents: Angel Gomes, James Wilson, Axel Tuanzebe.
#1 FC Barcelona
If you dream of becoming a world-class footballer, La Masia is probably the best place you should get enrolled at. The famous institution is a benchmark for all other youth academies around the globe.
When it comes to the crop of legends they have produced, the list is endless. Same is the case with the number of their academy graduates who are currently active in the sport.
La Masia is probably the best example of how a youth academy helps in preserving the values and traditions of the club. Ever since the great Johan Cruyff set his foot in Barcelona, La Blaugrana have always strived hard to instil the philosophy of 'Total Football' in every player that has passed through their ranks.
The likes of Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta, Pique are some of the greatest players the club has produced. And oh, a bow to Lionel Messi who is arguably the greatest footballer the game has ever seen.
As long as academies like La Masia are active, the fans definitely need not worry about running out of elite footballers.
Notable Alumni: Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto.
Upcoming talents: Carlos Alena, Wilfried Kaptoum, Oriol Busquets.
