As it does each year, the French Football Federation has unveiled its official ranking of the best youth academies in Ligue 1 and once again, AS Monaco has earned a place on the podium, by climbing an extra place in the ranking this year. The Principality club ranks third overall with an impressive average rating of 4.08 out of 5 stars, reinforcing its status as one of the elite development centres in French football.
This marks another season of consistency and excellence for Monaco’s academy, which has been a fixture in the Top 5 for several years running. Climbing one spot from last year, the Red and Whites now sit just behind Stade Rennais and Paris Saint-Germain, who take the top two positions.
A Legacy of Youth Development
Monaco’s consistent presence at the top of these rankings is the result of a long-standing commitment to youth development, a philosophy deeply embedded in the club’s identity since the academy’s founding in 1975 , exactly 50 years ago.
The FFF ranking evaluates academies based on five comprehensive criteria including Professionalization with the Number of academy graduates under professional contracts in Europe’s top leagues and national teams counting .
First-Team Integration is recognized also with Playing time academy players receive at the professional level. Of course, International Selections count from appearances in national teams. Not forgetting Academic Performance too, where Educational achievements are noted from diplomas earned during the previous season.
And European Impact also qualifies toward the ranking with the presence of academy-trained players at clubs competing in UEFA tournaments.
From La Diagonale to Europe’s Elite
The strength of AS Monaco’s academy is reflected not only in rankings but in on-field impact. This season, numerous homegrown talents have made significant contributions at the highest level.
Maghnes Akliouche, Monaco’s second-most utilized player under manager Adi Hütter, recorded 7 goals, including one against FC Barcelona and provided 10 assists. Eliesse Ben Seghir added 9 goals and 4 assists to his name, while Soungoutou Magassa netted his first goal in the UEFA Champions League.
Mamadou Coulibaly, Edan Diop, and Eliot Matazo were also key contributors to Monaco’s strong domestic campaign, and the likes of Lucas Michal, Yann Lienard, and Saïmon Bouabré earned their first professional minutes this season, highlighting the academy’s ongoing momentum.
Youth Success on the European and National Stages
Beyond the senior squad, the academy’s younger sides have also shone brightly. In the UEFA Youth League, the team led by Djimi Traoré and Frédéric Barilaro delivered a standout campaign with notable victories against the youth setups of FC Barcelona and Benfica Lisbon.
Monaco’s Elite Group also impressed by reaching the final of the inaugural FFF Espoirs Challenge, further affirming the club’s depth of talent across age groups.
National Recognition for Rising Stars
This season saw nearly 20 academy graduates or current players called up to their respective national teams, a reflection of Monaco’s growing influence on the international stage.
Eliesse Ben Seghir has been a regular with the Moroccan national team, receiving call-ups during every international window. Soungoutou Magassa and Christian Mawissa represented France at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where Maghnes Akliouche has also established himself as a key figure.
Several players also contributed to France’s victory in the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament, including Lucas Michal, Saïmon Bouabré, Mayssam Benama, and Aladji Bamba. Notably, Ben Seghir was named the best player of the tournament in 2023.
In another standout achievement, Ilies Belmokhtar, fresh off signing his first professional contract with Monaco, helped Morocco win the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in April.
From domestic recognition to international honours, AS Monaco’s youth academy continues to set a high standard. With five decades of history and a clear focus on nurturing both talent and character, the club remains a model of excellence in youth development, producing players ready to shine on the biggest stages in football.
