Barcelona, Bayern & Co - The 24/25 Champions League teams with the most academy graduates

We're now well and truly into the thick of it when it comes to this season's Champions League, with each participant having played three games in the group stages. To no great surprise, the new format of Europe's premier competition has already thrown up a number of high-profile clashes, as well as a number of minnows causing some almighty surprises by claiming the scalps of some of the continents biggest clubs. As such, it's certainly a toss up to see which clubs will qualify for the round of 16 automatically, and which clubs will finish 9th-24th and have to go through to a play off-round against each other for a place in the last 16. 

Many of the world's best players have already been on show, with superstars from far and wide taking part in the competition. However, some teams have been more reliant on the fruits of their own labour, with key players in their squads brought through from their academy set-ups. But which teams in this season's Champions League have the most academy graduates in their squads? And which sides have the most valuable academy stars in their ranks? Here at Transfermarkt, we have you covered. 

Which Champions League teams have the most academy graduates in their squads?

Leading the way in first place are Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. They have as many as 13 academy products within their squad. Although, between those 13 players they have a market value of just €38 million, with midfielder Martin Baturina the most valuable of the group at €20m. Alongside the Croatian side with an equal number of academy players are Shakhtar Donetsk, who can lay claim to 13 academy players of their own, with a combined market value of €95.2m. Their most valuable player is none other than exciting midfield prospet Georgiy Sudakov, who is currently valued at €35m. In third place, to very little surprise, are Barcelona, whose famous 'La Masia' academy has produced no less than 12 players for Hansi Flick's Champions League squad this season. The most valuable of which is teenage sensation Lamine Yamal at €160m, with the club's young players enjoying an impressive combined market value of €503m. 

In fourth place are Serbian side Red Star Belgrade, who have 10 academy graduates in their squad with a combined market value of just €10.3m. Alongisde them in joint fourth place come Eredivisie outfit PSV with 10 academy graduates worth a combined €87.4m. They are followed by Portuguese side Benfica who have eight academy products in their ranks whom boast a combined market value of €051m - who happen to share the spot with none other than cross-city rivals Sporting (eight academy players worth €105m) and Liverpool (eight academy players worth €210m). The next European giants on the list goes to German giants Bayern Munich, who have seven academy graduates worth a combined €220m - the most valuable of which is young superstar Jamal Musiala (€130m).

Which Champions League teams have the most valuable set of academy players?

When we adjust the criteria and rank this season's Champions League teams by which clubs boast the most combined market value from their academy stars, the pendulum swings and we see some of the more traditionally bigger clubs rise. Barcelona remain first with their aforementioned €503m worth of academy talent. Climbing to second are Manchester City, who have a combined market value of €231m from their five academy graduates - Phil Foden the most valuable (€150m). Bayern are third with €220m, and are followed in fourth by Liverpool who boast €210m's worth of academy talent in their squad. 

In fifth are Arsenal, who quite remarkably have just three senior academy products with Bukayo Saka contributing €140m alone. In sixth when it comes to the most market value are Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen with €131m in market value from their four academy graduates. They are followed by Sporting (€105m), Shakthar (€95m) and Benfica (€93m), with Atalanta (€90m) from six academy products completing the top 10. Champions League holders Real Madrid have just three academy graduates with a combined value of just €31m.