How the Youth System Works in Football

7 months back Diego 6 minutes reading time

sistema de categorias de base no futebol

THE youth system in football is the backbone of athlete training in Brazil and around the world.

The Hierarchical Structure of the Base Categories

Unlike professional football, where immediate performance dictates the rules, the youth system in football prioritizes gradual development.

In Brazil, the organization follows a pattern established by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), with divisions that vary according to age.

Table 1: Division by Age and Objectives

Category	Age	Main Focus
Under-11	9-11	Fundamentals and fun
Under-13	12-13	Collectivity and technique
Under-15	14-15	Tactics and resistance
Under-17	16-17	Competitiveness
Under-20	18-20	Transition to professional

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The Role of Clubs and the Search for Talent

Big teams invest millions in their academies because they know that youth system in football it's a gold mine.

Clubs like Santos, which developed Neymar and Pelé, or Flamengo, the birthplace of Vinícius Jr., are examples of institutions that invested in the youth academy and reaped the rewards in world football.

These structures function as centers of excellence, offering technical, nutritional, psychological training and even school classes to young people.

While football giants recruit youngsters across the country, smaller teams often serve as a springboard.

A player can start out on a local team, excel in regional championships, and then be taken to a more prominent club.

This mobility is common and often desired by both the athlete and the training club.

A good example of this is the Bahian club Jacuipense, known for developing players who later become nationally famous.

According to a survey by GE Globo, more than half of the players in Serie A in 2023 played for smaller clubs before breaking through to bigger clubs.

This dynamic shows that the basis is not only technical, but also strategic.

Those who know how to hire well, train even better, and negotiate at the right time have a sporting and financial advantage.

Challenges and Criticisms of the Current Model

Despite its importance, the youth system in football faces serious problems.

One of the main ones is the lack of standardization between clubs, which results in uneven training, poor infrastructure and outdated methods.

While some athletes have access to modern facilities, others train on makeshift fields with scant equipment.

The exploitation of young athletes is also a worrying reality.

Many are discarded prematurely, without any kind of psychological, educational or social support, which can lead to deep frustration and even abandonment of the sport.

Furthermore, there are cases of businessmen who pressure young people into contracts, often thinking only of profits.

Another serious problem is unfair competition.

Clubs with more resources can monopolize the best talent, offering structure, visibility, and benefits.

This weakens smaller teams, which form but rarely manage to retain their talent until the professional stage.

Table 2: Comparison Between Large and Small Clubs at the Base

Factor	Big Clubs	Small Clubs
Structure	High-level training centers	Limited infrastructure
Scouting	National and international network	Regional focus
Retention	Long contracts and incentives	Risk of loss for larger teams

The Future: Technology and Globalization

THE youth system in football is in constant transformation.

With the advancement of technology, European clubs are already using artificial intelligence, data analysis, and equipment such as wearables to monitor athletes' performance, sleep, and even stress.

These tools allow for more personalized and safe training.

In Brazil, Botafogo is one of the pioneers in the use of technology in youth categories.

The club created a dedicated youth performance analysis department, using metrics and videos to identify talent and improve training.

Other clubs are also starting to follow this trend, albeit at different rates.

Globalization also influences the grassroots scenario.

International academies are increasingly competing for young Brazilians before they even become professionals.

The case of Endrick, sold to Real Madrid at the age of 16, is a reflection of this new reality, where raw talent crosses borders at an increasingly early age.

Conclusion: Why is the Base the Foundation of Football?

Without one youth system in football efficient, the sport would lose its essence.

He is responsible for uncovering talent, maintaining competitiveness and ensuring that football continues to evolve.

The base is the beginning of everything: where dreams, sporting identities and new generations of idols emerge.

However, it is necessary to modernize structures, guarantee rights to young athletes and balance opportunities between clubs.

Inequality of resources and opportunities is still a major obstacle to the development of diverse talents.

The future of football is being decided today, on the courts and fields of the youth teams.

And you, do you believe that the current model can sustain the dreams of thousands of young talents or does it need to be reinvented?

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