Barcelona have produced the most players for Europe's big five leagues

'L'Equipe' have produced a report which has revealed that Barcelona are the club who have fed the most players to Europe's top five leagues.

There are currently 43 players who have come through La Masia playing in one of the 'Big 5' leagues and the French newspaper has called Barça "an authentic Catalan factory of champions". 

The study focused on the domestic leagues in France, England, Spain, Italy and Germany and considered 'canteranos' any player that had served at a club between the ages of 15 and 21. 

Therefore, a player could have been formed by two clubs.

To be considered in the study, the player must have played at least one game in their league since the start of the season, or at least once in the last two seasons. 

BARÇA COME ON TOP

Of the 43 players to come through La Masia and be playing in Europe's most impressive leagues, 13 are in Barcelona's current squad.

In second place is Louis van Gaal's Manchester United, with 36, followed by Real Madrid (34) and Lyon (33).

Then comes PSG (27) and the two Basque sides, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club, who are level with Stade Rennes (24 each).

Espanyol were 13th (21), level with Valencia, Monaco and Montpellier. 

Arsenal were ninth with 22 players formed in their cantera currently playing in one of Europe's top five leagues.

CURRENTLY AT THE CLUBS

If the study focused on cateranos who are currently in a club's first team after progressing, Barça would be in fourth position with 13.

Real Sociedad, Lyon and Athletic lead the way with 15 each in their first team squad.

Real Madrid were 10th (eight), while Bayern sat 13th with six canteranos. Espanyol ended up 15th, level with Monaco, Valencia, Inter and Roma on four. 

You can read the full 'L'Equipe' study here.