2021-22 Champions League: head-to-head AFC Ajax - SL Benfica (Round of 16, 2^nd leg, 15/03/2022)

With 20 academy-trained players currently active at various clubs in the 2021-22 European Top 5, AFC Ajax (Eredivisie) are ahead of SL Benfica (Liga Portugal Bwin) who have 12, as the two clubs prepare to face each other the second leg of their 2021-22 Champions League Round of 16 match at the Johan-Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam, NED) on Tuesday, 15/03/2022 (kick-off at 21:00 CET, first leg 2-2).

Taking into account the number of active players in the top 31 divisions of UEFA member associations, the gap widens even further, with Ajax topping the European club rankings with 81 players trained, compared with eighth place for Benfica, who have nevertheless been involved in the development of 60 players.

The hierarchy is reversed, however, in terms of amounts received since 2015 on the transfer market via the sale of players originating from the club's academy: €379m in total for the Portuguese club - no club has been more successful over the period - compared to €283m for their Dutch rivals (4^th). In terms of squad value, Ajax have the edge, with an estimated valuation of €364m according to…