FC Barcelona has already received a windfall in the Champions League of more than $60 million, which is more than they earned in their previous two tournament appearances.
Barcelona started 2023/2024 on the continent in excellent form, winning three of three games to top Group H and advance to the knockout phase for the first time since 2021.
As previously stated, Barcelona failed to advance from the group in their last two efforts, resulting in significantly less money for the club’s already-thin finances.
Already in this session, Barcelona has earned $8.8 million (€8.4 million) for three victories and might quadruple that sum if they win again against Shakhtar Donetsk, Porto, and Royal Antwerp before the end 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 make such money 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 interested 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 secure increased riches.