Real Madrid's Youth System

Spanish daily El País has an interesting article about Real Madrid's youth system. On the eve of Spain's friendly against Italy, the report says that there are 59 Real canteranos playing for other clubs in top flight leagues around the world. The most famous ones at the moment are Liverpool's Álvaro Arbeloa and Getafe's Rubén De la Red, both earning their first call-ups to Luis Aragonés' side.

The number of Real first-teamers who have made it up through the youth system: three. Midfielder Javier Balboa, goalie Jordi Codina, and forward Roberto Soldado. I guess that when you're the richest club in the world you buy talent, rather than cultivate it. By the way, how did that galácticos thing work out?

Los últimos de una fábrica poco aprovechada (in Spanish) [El País]
Arbeloa Wants Euro 2008 Call, And La Liga For Madrid [Goal.com]
Getafe starlet set for 'dream' debut [UEFA official site]

-ac