FC Barcelona Have Already Earned $61 Million Champions League Windfall

FC Barcelona have already earned a windfall in the Champions League worth over $60 million, which is more than they took home from their last two completed participations in the tournament.

Barca have begun 2023/2024 on the continent in fine form in terms of results, winning three from three to top Group H with one foot already in the knockout phase for the first time since 2021.

As implied, Barca failed to get out of the group in their past two attempts so naturally that brought the club’s threadbare coffers far less money.

Already in this sitting, Barca have secured $8.8 million (€8.4 million) for the three wins and could double that amount by repeating victories over Shakhtar Donetsk, Porto and Royal Antwerp before the close of 2023.

This amount can be added to the $52.3 million (€49.65 million) Barca already have guaranteed, which is made up of $16.5 million (€15.64 million) for qualifying for the group stage and $36 million (€34.11 million) for being the third best performer in UEFA’s elite club competition over the past 10 years.

The chance to generate such cash is much-welcomed by the Catalans, whose most recent financial reports revealed they are still $1.5 billion in debt with a short-term debt of around $886 million.

Furthermore, $153 million is still owed to other clubs from their dealings in the transfer window and the purchases of players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and even Frenkie de Jong who they bought from Ajax in 2019.

With Barca unwilling to sell any of their big stars such as Pedri and Gavi, who have garnered interest across the old continent, prize money in the Champions League could prove one of their main sources of income in a season where the target is to at least reach the quarter finals and seal increased riches.

Ahead of the next international break, Barca have a chance to add another $2.95 million to their bulging account by beating Shakhtar in Hamburg on November 7.

On November 28, it is Porto’s turn to travel to the Montjuic Stadium where the Blaugrana will look to repeat a 1-0 win in the Estadio do Dragao at the start of the month.