The end of a cliché? No, Ligue 1 is not the top league where academy-trained players play the most

A CIES study reveals Ligue 1 clubs gave only 9.9% of minutes to academy-trained players this season, ranking fifth among Europe's top five leagues behind La Liga's 19.8%.

A CIES Football Observatory study has challenged the perception of Ligue 1 as a league that develops and promotes young academy talent. Despite its reputation as a springboard for youth, Ligue 1 ranks fifth among Europe's top five leagues in minutes played by academy-trained players.

In the 2026-27 season, only 9.9% of Ligue 1 minutes have been played by players trained at their current club, down from 12.6% over the previous five seasons. The decline reflects clubs' trading strategies and economic pressures forcing them to sell young talent early or without giving them significant playing time.

Le Havre leads Ligue 1 with 27.9% of minutes for academy players, followed by Toulouse (24.9%) and Lens (17.7%). PSG ranks eighth. Rennes, despite its reputation for developing talent, sits last with just 1.5%. Across Europe's top five leagues, La Liga leads with 19.8%, while the Premier League (5%), Serie A (6.4%) and Bundesliga (6.4%) lag further behind.