Which is the best Youth Academy in the world right now?

Which is the best Youth Academy in the world right now?

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM

Soccer is a sport established by and for young people. A football youth academy is a vital component as the goal of every football player is to play professionally for a reputable professional club. Many of these best young footballers are nurtured and sooner or later become prominent players globally. Read on and find the best Youth Academy in the world as of 2022.

The best Youth Academy
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

While several professional football players may have started as street kids, the effect and opportunities given by football academies have been essential in bringing these players to their full potential. So have a peek at the list below and find more information about the best youth football academies in the world.

Which football club has the best youth academy in the world?

All international players from different soccer clubs were once in a youth academy. Talk of baby steps because no one is born skilled. In this article, you will find these soccer clubs that bring up the international players. Dig in to find the best youth academies in the world.

10. FK Partizan

FK Partizan
Partizan players line up with their youth players before the UEFA Europa League group H match against FC Internazionale Milano in Milan, Italy. Photo: Giuseppe Bellini
Source: Getty Images

Otherwise known as the Belin Lazarevic Nadoveza youth school, FK Partizan Academy is the youth academy for the Serbian football club, Partizan Belgrade. The club was founded in 1950 and named after former Partizan players Bruno Belin, Cedomir Lazarevic, and Branko Nadoveza.

Even though the training center has appeared last in the list containing the best youth football academies globally, it is still a recognised youth academy, as far as soccer is concerned. As of 2022, the original club has a transfer market value of $44.8 million.

9. Atletico River Plate

Atletico River Plate
A photo of the Atletico River Plate youth players prior to a training session. Photo: @cariverplateuru
Source: Instagram

Founded in 1901, Atletico River Plate is regarded as the most successful Argentine football club. One interesting fact about the training center is that they look for their trainees in the streets of Argentina.

Atletico is recognised globally for the number of talents that have emerged. In fact, the recent Ballon d’Or, Alfredo Di Stefano and Omar Sivori winners came from Atletico River Plate. The renowned players the team has produced are the likes of Herman and Pablo Aimar. The original club's transfer market value is $146.5 million as of 2022.

8. FC Bayern Munich Junior Team

FC Bayern Munich Junior Team
The "FC Bayern Campus", the junior performance center of the German Bundesliga football club. Photo: Sven Hoppe
Source: Getty Images

If you are ever asked about the best youth training center in Germany, the straight-up answer you should give is the FC Bayern Munich Junior Team. It was founded in 1902, and its mission is to train young players so that it will be possible for FCB to keep a global position in the soccer arena.

Scouts have been appointed to trace young stars in the streets of Munich. Most of the prominent players from the youth training center are the likes of Thomas Muller, Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, and David Alaba. The club's transfer market value as of 2022 is $13.9 million.

7. GNK Dinamo Zagreb Junior Team

GNK Dinamo Zagreb junior team
A photo of the GNK Dinamo Zagreb junior team. Photo: @gnkdinamo
Source: Instagram

Founded in 1967, GNK Dinamo Zagreb now holds a record relating to the FIFA World Cup. Although it sits at seventh position, if one youth academy has produced more home-grown players in the FIFA World Cup, then it is Dinamo Zagreb youth training center.

Interestingly, the academy nurtured 14 players in the current Croatia National Team. In 2011, UEFA awarded Dinamo Zagreb as one of the best youth academy in Europe. Some of the prominent players from the academy are Marko Pjaca, who currently plays for Juventus and Luka Modric, who plays for Real Madrid. The current transfer market value is $110 million.

6. Anderlecht

Anderlecht youth academy
The youth players of Anderlecht pose for a photo after an intensive training session. Photo: @rscayouth
Source: Instagram

Located in Neerpede, Anderlecht young team is one team that has produced numerous European players since it debuted in the football scene. While the academy keeps on nurturing young talents into Europe's top clubs, it steadily continues to live up to its reputation.

One of the most prominent players from Anderlecht is Man City's famous legends, Vincent Kompany and Inter striker Romelu Lukaku. The Anderlecht football club has a transfer market value of $96 million.

5. Ajax

Ajax Youth Academy
Ajax youngsters during a training session. Photo: @ajaxyouthacademy
Source: Instagram

Ajax boasts the best young football academy globally, without question. They often give young players a chance, and many become the greatest players in history. Ajax nearly made it to the finals of the Champions League thanks to their young academy's outstanding performance.

Both the players and their interests are taken into consideration by the training center. Ajax is a top-notch youth program, and it should not be a shock that they have appeared on the list containing the best youth football academies in the world. As of 2022, the club has a transfer market value of $395 million.

4. Sporting Lisbon

Which is the best youth academy in the world right now?
The Sporting Lisbon youth players after winning the Singa Cup. Photo: @sportingacademysg
Source: Instagram

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only name that comes to mind when you think about Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo immediately impacted the first team when he joined Sporting Lisbon from Porto. In his second season, he was traded to Manchester United, and the rest is history.

However, many of the other players who have graduated from the school have played an important role in Portugal's recent football revolution. The likes of Luis Figo, Nani, and Ricardo Quaresma are on this list. As of 2022, the club has a transfer market value of $276.6 million.

3. Santos

Santos Youth Academy
The Santos youth players after winning the Flitwick Eagles Tournament. Photo: @santos_panthers_fc
Source: Instagram

Santos youth academy consists of the reserve and academy teams and is rated among the best youth academies in Latin America. One of the most prominent players from the academy is Pele, who made his football debut at Santos. Other international players the academy has produced are the likes of Robinho and Neymar Jnr.

2. Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao Youth Academy
Athletic Bilbao youth players. Photo; @sfc_academy
Source: Instagram

Often dubbed Cantera, Athletic Bilbao is one academy renowned for developing players from childhood through to integrating into the first team. Today, the club relies on their youth academy as they only allow players native to the Basque region in their squad.

Alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao holds the record for being in Primera Division the longest. The latter and the two teams have been playing in La Liga since 1929 without any relegation.

As of 2022, the original club has a transfer market value of $207.2 million.

1. Barcelona

Barcelona Youth Academy
Barcelona's new player Colombian defender, Jeison Murillo greets young players. Photo: Josep LAGO
Source: Instagram

La Masia is regarded as the best youth soccer academy in the world. When La Masia players made their debuts for Barcelona, several became the world's greatest footballers. These are Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Sergio Busquets. Today, La Masia is the best football youth academy in the world.

As of 2022, the original club has a transfer market value of $709 million. It is among the most expensive football clubs in the world.

Which is the best youth academy in Africa?

The Pepsi Football Academy is the best youth academy in Africa. The academy was launched by Kashimawo Laloko and later received the official support of the Pepsi Company in 1994.

What are the top 3 football academies in the UK?

  • Swansea City Academy Productivity
  • Hull Tigers Academy Productivity
  • AFC Bournemouth Academy Productivity

Usually, the best youth academy in the world is often responsible for producing the best players of all time. While it doesn't matter about the age of the young stars, the moment they set foot in the academy, they are all nurtured and trained accordingly. So now, if you have a youngster at home who is passionate about soccer, at least by now, you can choose the academy of your preference.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.