Brazil stands out in South America for earning significantly from youth soccer, with nine clubs in the global top 100 from 2014 to 2023, says the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES).
Brazilian teams, including Flamengo and Palmeiras, lead outside Europe, showcasing the country’s talent development success.
The list also features teams from Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Mexico, with Europe dominating the rest.
Flamengo, at 13th, tops South American clubs, thanks to high-profile sales like VinÃcius Júnior for €45 million in 2017, totaling €228 million in earnings.
Next, Palmeiras is at 28th with $913.2 million from selling stars such as Gabriel Jesus, closely followed by Santos at 29th.
Other Brazilian clubs also feature prominently, demonstrating Brazil’s strong youth soccer infrastructure.
River Plate from Argentina stands out too, closely following Flamengo with significant earnings.
Benfica, Ajax, and Lyon lead globally, showing the international scope of youth soccer profits.
Thiago Freitas emphasizes Brazil’s edge in developing game-changing talent, crucial in modern soccer.
He points out that economic factors push Brazilian clubs to capitalize on their youth talent by selling players abroad.
Emerging markets, like the US, increasingly target Brazilian prospects, highlighting global demand.
Vasco’s sale of Gabriel Pec to the LA Galaxy exemplifies this trend, reflecting strategic investment in youth development.
Recent high-value transfers, like Paulinho and Andrey, highlight Brazilian clubs’ role in nurturing and profiting from young talents, affecting global soccer dynamics.