La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy that has produced the likes of Lionel Messi; Andres Iniesta; Xavi, Carles Puyol; and Gerard Pique, has long been recognized as one of the best in the world.
However, the academy is no longer the most productive in the world of football. Not only has the Blaugrana lost its crown, but it was taken away by none other than their bitter rivals Real Madrid, adding insult to injury.
The margin by which Los Blancos dethroned the Catalan giants by a tiny margin, as revealed in a study by the CIES. The Football Observatory dug up the clubs with the highest number of players trained – employed for at least three seasons between 15 and 21 – that ply their trade in a big-five league.
Real Madrid topped the 2016 rankings at 41, four more than the 2015 winners – Barca – at 37. Man United, despite focusing more on luxury signings in recent seasons, are third in the world and are England’s best, at 34.
France’s highest ranked is Lyon, coming in at fourth with 29 players. Italy’s number one club this year is Roma, at seventh, with 24 players. Premier League side Arsenal follow the Serie A side, with 22 players.
Check out the top 25 in the pic below
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