Real Madrid primed for future domination as Barcelona lag far behind, study shows

Real Madrid is not only dominating the present, it is also shaping the future. According to the latest report from the CIES Football Observatory, the Spanish giants rank as the best-prepared club in world soccer when it comes to long-term squad planning.

The study credits Real Madrid’s model of stability, youth-focused recruitment, and squad continuity as the foundation of its sustained success. The approach allows the club to compete at the highest level now while maintaining a pipeline for future dominance.

Four pillars behind Madrid’s advantage

The ranking is based on four key indicators: player usage stability over the past three years, average time spent in the first team, contract length, and age at signing.

The analysis focuses on first-team players, excluding homegrown players under 22 and those developed within the club’s academy, in order to better isolate recruitment strategy. Together, these factors measure how sustainably each club builds its squad.

Real Madrid stands out across all categories, with a clear blueprint: sign young talent, develop players over time, and avoid repeated rebuilds.

Barcelona outside the top tier

Barcelona sits in 21st place, just outside the top 20. The ranking reflects recent years marked by financial constraints, higher squad turnover, and short-term decision-making.

Even so, Barcelona’s young core still offers significant upside if the club can stabilize its sporting project and maintain continuity.

Different models, same success formula

Behind Real Madrid, two very different clubs highlight alternative paths to stability.

Brentford has established itself as one of the most efficient operations in the English Premier League, maximizing resources while maintaining consistency.

Athletic Club continues to build competitive squads rooted in identity, continuity, and internal development.

MLS clubs break into the global elite

Major League Soccer also features prominently. Seattle Sounders FC and Philadelphia Union both place inside the top five, underscoring the structural progress of American soccer.

Global spread of sustainable models

Beyond the headline names, several clubs demonstrate that strong planning is not tied solely to financial power. Shakhtar Donetsk, Club Brugge, AZ Alkmaar, and Zenit Saint Petersburg all feature among well-structured long-term projects.

In South America, Palmeiras leads the way regionally, although it ranks 61st overall.

The bigger picture

In a sport increasingly driven by short-term results, the report reinforces a simple conclusion: sustained success is built on patience, consistency, and vision.

Right now, Real Madrid remains the clearest example of that philosophy working at the highest level of world soccer.

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