MONACO — Before the statue honoring him graced the Emirates Stadium, a young Thierry Henry was sharpening his soccer talents far from London, in the sun-drenched region of the French Riviera at the AS Monaco training academy.
Henry, who later became Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer, is part of a notable legacy of French soccer talents emerging from this prestigious academy. This group includes prominent figures such as Lilian Thuram, David Trezeguet, Kylian Mbappé, and Emmanuel Petit, who once played alongside Henry at Arsenal. Presently, several academy alumni are part of the Monaco team visiting London for a Champions League clash against Arsenal, including players like Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir.
Notably, 19-year-old Ben Seghir has already achieved international recognition with Morocco and stands as Monaco’s leading scorer in the French league. Meanwhile, Akliouche, 22, has displayed exceptional technical skills that have caught the attention of major European clubs. “Each season, we continue to strengthen the first team with talented players from the academy,” expressed Monaco’s CEO Thiago Scuro. “It’s a highly effective system we have in place.”
Additionally, 21-year-old Soungoutou Magassa, a versatile player capable of excelling in both midfield and defense, is also a product of the academy. Scouted at just 12 years old, Magassa recently marked his place in the spotlight by scoring his first professional goal in the Champions League against Benfica. “I may not have been the standout talent at the academy, but we all supported each other and shared the same aspirations,” Magassa reflected. “There was abundant talent, and it’s evident today with so many of us transitioning to professional careers.”
Whether this youthful Monaco side can replicate the achievements of the 2017 squad, which featured emerging star Mbappé and reached the Champions League semifinals, remains to be seen. However, indications show that the club’s commitment to youth development is bearing fruit as they hold a promising position in the Champions League standings alongside Arsenal.
Scuro emphasized the club’s philosophy: “We strive to play dynamic, aggressive football and create numerous scoring opportunities, which is a core aspect of Monaco’s identity. Our recruitment focuses on players who fit this style.”
Monaco enjoyed a milestone last summer, celebrating 100 years since its establishment, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that the club began to flourish in the small city-state, which is now synonymous with wealth. Lacking its own league due to its diminutive size, Monaco’s football club—officially known as Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club—has consistently competed within the French league system.
The region’s limited population and youth engagement in soccer posed challenges for long. However, the inception of the Diagonale academy in 1975 reshaped the landscape, providing a nurturing environment. Former president Jean-Louis Campora established the academy and lured top coaches from France’s national soccer institute, persuading parents across the country that this was the ideal place for their children to excel in soccer.
During an era that restricted foreign players, this academy enabled Monaco to rise as a formidable contender within the French league, securing eight domestic titles and five French Cups, and reaching the Champions League final in 2004.
Thanks to an annual budget of around 10 million euros (approximately $10.6 million), the academy has successfully cultivated numerous players who went on to compete at the professional level for their respective countries. Recruitment involves rigorous evaluation by around 20 experts before acceptance. “It resembles a beautiful spider’s web,” remarked Sébastien Muet, the head of the academy.
The academy hosts players aged 14 to 21-22, providing full residential facilities where they can sleep, eat, learn, and receive medical attention. Presently, 55 trainees thrive in a center conveniently located near the Louis II stadium, dedicating between 12 to 14 hours a week on training, while attending secondary school for an additional 22 hours under the supervision of club-appointed educators.
Recently, while visiting, students were engaged in a project on climate themes, demonstrating a balance between academics and athletic training. Muet emphasized the importance of equipping these young athletes with the skills to think critically and analyze situations, preparing them for a successful future, regardless of the career path they choose.
Although their rigorous timetable allows little time for relaxation—often only time for gaming—the academic director Virginie Barilaro-Gollino endeavors to offer various extracurricular experiences, including cultural outings and contests. “Time is a constraint, but we strive to organize as many enriching activities as we can,” she noted.
Emphasizing the strategy of fostering homegrown talent not only enhances player development but also supports the club’s financial health. Scuro pointed out, “We don’t need to look elsewhere for solutions; we have them right here.”
Historically, the club relied on high-profile signings, spending lavishly on players like Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, and Joao Moutinho, totaling around 130 million euros. At that time, Monaco aimed to challenge PSG for dominance in French soccer. However, following financial scrutiny regarding overspending, club owner Dmitry Rybolovlev pivoted towards nurturing young talents, thereby investing in a state-of-the-art training complex for first-team and reserve players.
The strategy has yielded substantial returns as the club now reaps financial rewards from the sale of players developed either in-house or sourced through recruitment. The remarkable transfer of Mbappé to PSG for 180 million euros and the sale of Aurélien Tchouaméni to Real Madrid for 80 million euros in 2022 highlight this success. In comparative rankings, Monaco was noted as the third-highest club for player transfer revenues since July 2015, generating around 285 million euros.
Considering the current talents emerging from the academy, it is evident that this strategy positions the club for continued success. In a recent international break, as many as 20 players from both the professional squad and academy received calls to represent their national teams.