European football academies have been developing some of the world's finest footballers for decades. In the case of F.C. Barcelona, club legends such as Messi and Pique have progressed through La Masia to the starting 11. These academies sound like terrific opportunities for the players and the club. But what about all the players who don't make the team? Athletes who are taken from their schools and friends at a young age to play for these academies, only to not make the cut at the professional level. What types of consequences occur? Have we turned a blind eye to the negative aspects of footballing academies or do the positives of these institutions outweigh the imperfect outcomes?

Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 1, 2018 at 3:12 AM

    I feel like these academies pose a serious risk to the development of children. If they do not receive a sufficient education or fail to develop social skills because of constant time on the pitch, any athlete that fails to make the first team will suffer for the choices they made. I think that youth academies should be forced to provide a good education and a healthy social atmosphere through governance by UEFA or national governments in order to protect the best interests of the young participants.

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  2. eurosport33405March 3, 2018 at 3:41 AM

    HANNAH HENRY: I agree with Bennett and think that the academies are not helping the kids' development. The academies are thinking more about the financial gains that they can make by developing young players rather than the education and life skills of the kids that are at their academies. In the eye of the staff, the success that a few players bring to the clubs outweighs the risks that is caused to all of the other players. However, I think that the academies need to step back and reconsider how they are affecting the education and future success of the other players.

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  3. UnknownMarch 3, 2018 at 10:52 AM

    I disagree with the previous comments. I think that the academy experience can be valuable to any young man, whether they end up playing professional football or not. Football teaches boys how work in groups, have patience, work hard, and dedicate themselves fully to something. These skills are largely important life skills that they could use at any job. While it may be discouraging, to dedicate yourself to something fully and come up short, the players who don't make a professional team can still use that experience to learn a lot , especially how to apply themselves.

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