Top 10 football academies in the world in 2018

#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.