According to the latest study by the CIES Football Observatory, France leads the world in revenue from international transfers of locally trained players. Over the last decade, French clubs have generated no less than €3.98 billion from the sale of players trained in France, representing nearly €400 million per year. This performance puts France far ahead of Brazil (€2.6 billion) and Spain (€2.24 billion), its main rivals. Five European nations (Portugal, the Netherlands, England, Germany, and Italy) as well as Argentina have also surpassed the €1 billion mark. Behind these figures lies a clear observation: French training remains an international benchmark that continues to supply the world of football with talent. The CIES study also highlights that nearly a third of the revenue comes from transfers of players aged 21 or younger. In some countries, this proportion is even higher: Serbia (64.7%), Brazil (50.1%), Denmark (48.4%), and Belgium (43.8%), reflecting the increasingly early internationalization of young players. This data underscores how crucial youth development remains as a strategic pillar of club success, as discussed by Jean-François Vulliez, coach of the Paris Saint-Germain U21 team, and Bertrand Reuzeau, director of the Montpellier HSC's Academy, on Vcoaching.
Over the last decade, French clubs have generated no less than €3.98 billion from the sale of players trained in France.