While Real Madrid has continued to buy expensive players such as Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, its academy remains highly productive. Ninety-seven of its graduates are currently playing professionally in Europe.

Achraf Hakimi, Marcos Llorente and Pablo Barrios are among the notable academy players succeeding elsewhere. 

Martin Odegaard was a high profile youth signing who never cracked Real Madrid's senior team, but has subsequently become a star with Arsenal.