The Top 10 Youth Academies in World Football

The football academy is the first step in any player's development toward the top of their game.

The vast majority of players have come through the ranks after having their potential spotted as schoolchildren.

Northampton seven-year-old Kai Fifield was even given a trial with the Barcelona Academy after having a kickabout near the Camp Nou, as reported by The Sun in July 2011.

Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard have all progressed from youth academies across the world.

Here we look at the world's best academies for young players.

Barcelona

Barcelona are, arguably, the best team on the planet at the moment, and much of that glory is a testament to the club's youth academy.

La Masia is the training facility for the Barca youngsters, with 300 children attending the academy at any one time.

In 2010, the Barcelona Academy saw three of its former students in the top positions for the Ballon D'Or; Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.

Manchester United

Manchester United, understandably, have one of the most successful youth academies in Europe with the exposure of the first team an enticing prospect for the world's best youngsters.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has also never been afraid to give youth a chance in his first team and is a constant spectator at the academy where former United striker Brian McClair is in charge.

Notable students to progress from the United academy include Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, while Duncan Edwards and Sir Bobby Charlton were also products of the Old Trafford youth system.

Ajax

Ajax might not be the European force they were during the 1970s, but the club's youth academy remains a benchmark for others.

Youngsters are schooled in the art of football from an early age and the academy has developed into a landmark across the game.

Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert are among a host of Holland legends to have begun their careers within the Ajax youth system.

Santos

Santos youth academy has been a persistent source of Brazilian talent throughout the years with Pele, Robinho and, more recently, Neymar coming through the ranks.

The Brazilian club looks after players from Under-11 groups and up until the first team. Santos have also set up a Centre of Football Performance Development as physical preparation for all age groups.

Education is a crucial factor for the academy with the Luiza Neofiti Study Centre now set up alongside the club's gymnasium.

Manchester City

Manchester City's transfer policy since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour might not appear to favour youth development, but his Abu Dhabi United Group are creating a youth facility to match the biggest in the world.

Millions have been spent by the club in pursuit of success for Roberto Mancini's team, but the club owners are using their finances to create for the future too, as the Daily Mail reported in September.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Micah Richards and Joey Barton are all graduates of the Manchester City Academy but the promise of many more underlines the potential of the club.

Sporting

Sporting of Portugal remain one of the richest mines for European football talent with numerous high-profile players learning their trade at the club's academy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo just two of the major names to have emerged from the youth ranks at the Lisbon club.

Academia Sporting is the name of the academy's private training facilities based in 250,000 square metres just outside Alcochete near the country's capital.

Crewe Alexandra

Crewe might be famous for being the station where everyone changes, but the local football club is world renowned for keeping young talent on the right track.

Under former manager Dario Gradi, who had two spells in charge of the first team, the Cheshire minnows produced a steady stream of talented kids such as Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton and Rob Jones, who all went on to play for England.

Players such as Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage and David Platt also benefited from working with Gradi at Gresty Road after joining the club as youngsters from elsewhere.

Gradi is now in charge of the Crewe Academy after stepping down as manager for a second time in 2011 to focus on youth development, with Manchester United midfielder Nick Powell the most recent graduate to appear in the Premier League after joining Crewe as a five-year-old.

Southampton

Southampton are another underrated club when it comes to the schooling of young talent.

The Saints youth system has previously produced players such as Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer and Mick Channon.

But the Southampton Academy has further enhanced the club's reputation with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wayne Bridge all representing their country after coming through the ranks on the south coast of England.

Arsenal

Arsenal legend Liam Brady is in the news today following the announcement of his retirement as head of the club's youth academy after 17 years in charge.

The 56-year-old is hoping the early decision on his future will give the club plenty of time to find a successor and ease the period of transition with the Arsenal Youth Academy having such a strong reputation across the world.

Current Arsenal first-team players Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs have both come through the ranks under Brady to add to a list which also includes Nicklas Bendtner and Wojciech Szczezny, while Tony Adams, Paul Merson and Brady himself graduated from schoolboy Gunners to full internationals.

Everton

Wayne Rooney is the most high-profile graduate from the Everton Academy with the striker owing his development as a youngster to the Goodison Park club.

But other notable graduates from Everton youth ranks include Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman, who are both England internationals.

With finances tighter at Everton than most of their Premier League rivals, the Academy has afforded manager David Moyes a burgeoning talent pool.