October 24 – Benfica have once again been ranked as the world’s most productive football academy. The latest CIES Football Observatory report shows the Lisbon giants lead the 2025 rankings with 93 players developed at their Seixal academy currently playing professionally, ahead of Barcelona (76) and River Plate (97).
The CIES index measures three factors: the number of academy-trained players, the average level of the clubs they now represent, and the total number of minutes played over the last 12 months.
Benfica scored highest overall by far, combining volume, quality and playing time at elite level. Their dominance comes as little surprise given the club’s track record in producing and selling top-level talent.
Recent Seixal graduates include João Félix, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, João Neves, Gonçalo Ramos, and Ederson Moraes – all of whom have gone on to star in Europe’s biggest competitions.
Emerging names such as Antonio Silva continue that tradition, highlighting how Benfica’s academy has become both a sporting foundation and a major revenue source – they are the side with the best net transfer income in Europe.
Barcelona’s second place underlines the continuing importance of La Masia, particularly as the club navigates ongoing financial pressures. With limited room for major transfers, Barça’s academy graduates have become central to the club’s strategy – a reminder of the system that produced Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, who have now been joined by the likes of Gavi and Lamine Yamal.
In third place, River Plate continue to set the benchmark in South America, demonstrating the strength of Argentina’s player development model, which also sees Boca Juniors and Vélez Sarsfield inside the global top ten clubs – having produced most of the world-champion Argentina squad between them.
Elsewhere in the top ten are Sporting CP, Real Madrid, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb and Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting, reflect the global reach of football’s most successful development systems. Manchester City are the highest ranked Premier League team at 21st.
In total, 30 countries are represented in the top 100, with Argentina (15 clubs) and Brazil (11 clubs) the most prolific nations for player development.
To see the full ranking, click here.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1761313195labto1761313195ofdlr1761313195owedi1761313195sni@g1761313195niwe.1761313195yrrah1761313195