'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A recent survey by the CIES football observatory showed that Real Madrid and Barcelona produce the joint-most players playing in Europe's top 5 leagues. That might surprise some considering Barcelona's La Masia is arguably the best in the world while Real's is lesser-known.
In reality, La Fabrica, Real Madrid's academy, has always produced good players. The thing is that not many have gone on to play for Los Blancos themselves. At the moment the likes of Sergio Reguilon, Marcos Llorente and Achraf Hakimi are all doing well elsewhere.
With managers like Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, who have rarely shown faith in the academy, it's difficult to say whether this trend will change. However, that doesn't mean La Fabrica isn't capable of producing good talents. Here are the five best players who are a part of the academy right now.
#5 Rafa Marin
A tall, commanding centre-back hailing from the Andalusia region of Spain, Rafa Marin has been a mainstay in Real Madrid's B team this season. The 19-year-old is extremely comfortable in possession as is the requirement for modern centre-backs.
Marin is also quite good in defensive duels and in the air. He was recently included in the first-team squad a few times and there was talk of him having the chance to make a first-team debut. While that hasn't been the case yet, the future looks bright for the Spain U-19 international.
#4 Sergio Arribas
Sergio Arribas is a technical, diminutive right-winger who has been performing at a very high level for Real Madrid Castilla for the last year or so. Arribas was a pivotal part of Real's U-19 team that won the UEFA Youth League in 2020.
Last season, Arribas made a few first-team appearances under Zidane but so far opportunities haven't done justice to his performances. One good thing for Arribas is the fact that he has played at both the U-19 level and for Castilla under the legendary Raul, from whom he can learn a lot.
#3 Peter Gonzalez
Peter Gonzalez seems to be one of the rare Castilla talents who Carlo Ancelotti rates. The Real Madrid boss has used him a couple of times this season. The truth, however, is that he deserves more chances.
Peter had not only been the standout player for the U-19 team but also for the B team this season. He can play as a wingback or a winger on both wings which makes him an extremely versatile and valuable asset.
With the likes of Isco, Bale, and Mariano looking likely to leave in the summer, Peter could be part of the first team next season.
#2 Miguel Gutierrez
Full-backs are arguably the position that La Fabrica are best at producing. Carvajal, Reguilon and Hakimi are all world-class full-backs. Other prominent graduates like Lucas Vazquez and Nacho are no strangers to deputizing at full-back either. Miguel Gutierrez is next in line.
The 20-year-old left-back is extremely balanced when it comes to attacking and defensive capabilities, which is a rare trait for such a young player.
Miguel is also intelligent and reads the game well as shown by his wonderful assist to Luka Modric against Granada last season. He has been called up to Spain's U-21 squad. Given Marcelo is almost certainly leaving at the end of this season, Miguel will have more prominence in the 2022-23 season.
#1 Antonio Blanco
Antonio Blanco has long been spoken about in glowing terms within the Real Madrid and Spanish youth circles. He impressed last season when he got a run of games in the first team with fans likening him to Xabi Alonso. Anyone who thought that Blanco would play more frequently, however, was mistaken.
With Real signing Camavinga in a similar position and Ancelotti not playing youngsters much, Blanco has only played 39 minutes this season. Instead, he has starred for Castilla in the third division. Blanco has obviously eclipsed the level of football the third tier. There has been talk of a loan deal for Blanco but nothing has materialized so far in the window.
