The Future of Football Lies in Youth Academies. This was the key takeaway from the panel “The Future of Football: Growth and Development of Youth Academies” at the SFS, where top experts discussed the transition from academies to the first team, delving into its challenges, opportunities, and best practices. Among the speakers were Pouya Yaghoubinia (Development Manager, ECA), Andrea Sartori (CEO & Founder, Football Benchmark), and Federico Cherubini (Senior Football Advisor and former Juventus executive).

How is the success of a player’s transition from the youth academy to the first team measured? According to a study presented during the panel, a key parameter is achieving at least 150 minutes across five official matches within a short timeframe, excluding friendlies. This benchmark is sufficient to showcase a player’s potential in a competitive context. However, success isn’t just about numbers.

Cherubini highlighted Juventus’ investment in the Next Gen program since 2018 to ensure a steady pipeline of talent. “The important thing is to share a vision, which can naturally evolve over time and according to the context. For example, under Conte, the gap between the academy and the first team was enormous. However, with Allegri, Sarri, and Pirlo, it became much smoother and more diverse. Not to mention Thiago Motta’s squad management and the many Next Gen players now in the first team”, said the former Juventus executive.

Investing in a cohesive strategy: the key to successful Academies. Clubs like Atalanta, Benfica, Sporting, Feyenoord, and Ajax stand out as winning models by blending sports development with commercial appeal. In Italy, however, the challenge is more complex: while investments surpass those made in Spain, the results often fall short. This suggests that the issue lies not in the amount of investment but in its management and resource optimization.

Today, a young footballer’s journey is influenced by multiple external factors. As Yaghoubinia emphasized, “Every aspect must be clearly defined, from education to social media management”. The role of families, media, and agencies is crucial in creating a stable environment for players to thrive.

The growth and development of football cannot overlook youth academies. Establishing efficient information flow among stakeholders, defining clear KPIs, and investing in sustainable strategies are essential to turning young talents into first-team pillars and enhancing the appeal of both domestic leagues and national teams.