Football clubs outside the top 5 European leagues are unable to earn much money from television contracts. Saudi sovereign wealth funds have been slow to buy clubs, so they have to invest in academies and sell players. One of the best in this regard is Lisbon’s Benfica, which the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) named the best in terms of alumni sales revenue over the past 10 years.
Experts studied the preparation of the seven best clubs in the CIES ranking, among which Portuguese clubs attracted attention.
Benfica (Portugal, €516 million)
Number of players sold: 30
Most expensive sale: Joao Felix (€127.2 million, Atlético Madrid)
In the Deloitte Football Money League 2024 report, Benfica’s revenues amounted to €223.4 million, placing the club in 22nd place in the world ranking of profitable clubs. This is an important achievement considering that Benfica is not in the top 5 European leagues. The club is progressing successfully thanks to its transfer policy and academy.
Caixa Futebol Benfica opened in 2006 on the initiative of Eusebio. The Academy is located in Lisbon and is equipped with modern equipment. There is also a secondary school here, and all teams play according to the same system. The Academy has 172 Cub Scouts around the world, and about a third of its students come from overseas.
Benfica have produced a wealth of talented players over the past 10 years, including Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo, Joao Cancelo, Gonçalo Guedes, Andre Gomes, Renato Sanches and Joao Felix.
In some cases, on the banzai bet website there is even a line in which you are asked to choose whether a player from the Benfica academy will become the winner of the prize for the best young player in the world.
Ajax (Netherlands, €376 million)
Number of players sold: 36
Most expensive sale: Frenkie de Jong (€86 million, Barcelona)
The Ajax academy is called De Toekomst – “The Future”. There are 12 playing fields, a gym, an arena and a swimming pool. All teams also play in a 4-3-3 system. Local talent is given preference when entering the academy, and scouts have been watching them for many years. The academy employs 25 coaches and more than 100 scouts.
The academy focuses on coordination, positional play, shooting, passing, feints and finishing attacks. Selection is carried out on various parameters, including technique, thinking, speed and character. Parents pay €12 per year for insurance, but tuition is free.
Lyon (France, € 370 million)
Number of players sold: 32
Most expensive sale: Alexandre Lacazette (€53 million)
The Lyon Academy was opened in 1952. About 649 boys and girls study here. The complex includes 14 football fields, three of which have artificial turf. School results are of great importance for admission.
Academy director Georges Prost notes the important role of school inspectors, who act as parents for young players. Academy specialists also train coaches in other countries.
Real Madrid (Spain, €364 million)
Number of players sold: 28
Most expensive sale: Alvaro Morata (€66 million)
The Real Madrid Academy is located at the Valdebebas complex, where about 350 students study. There are 11 football fields and the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium. The path from the junior team to the club’s core is long and difficult, but the club is investing heavily in the academy.