FC Barcelona can make up to $88.5 million (€82.5 million) more from what’s potentially left of their run in the Champions League, as partly-explained by Mundo Deportivo.
The Catalans are currently flying high in Europe after beating Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes for the first time in nine years.
A 3-2 win over the Ligue 1 giants on Wednesday put them halfway through to the Champions League last four, but head coach Xavi Hernandez still sees the Parisians as the favourites in the quarterfinal tie just six days out from a deciding second leg at the Montjuic Stadium.
This could be a case of Xavi attempting to play mind games with his opposite number and former head coach in Luis Enrique, after the ex-Spain boss goaded the legendary midfielder by saying he represents Barca’s style and coveted ‘DNA’ better than the proud La Masia product.
Regardless, it is safe to assume that both Xavi and president Joan Laporta know that much more than a place in the last four is at stake when PSG come to Catalonia.
In short, a spot in the Club World Cup next year is also on the line, with Barca and domestic rivals Atletico Madrid currently battling for the last available spot granted to a Spanish outfit.
With Real Madrid already having their tickets booked for the competition thanks to winning the UCL in 2022, Atleti currently leads Barca by 67 points to 61 in the race for the FIFA tournament.
Yet there are a few different paths for Barca to overturn this, which entail them beating PSG again first and foremost with two points for a win and an extra point awarded for progressing to the next round.
Atleti won 2-1 against Borussia Dortmund on the same side of the draw on Wednesday, and the Germans eliminating Diego Simeone’s men and then succumbing to Barca by losing both games would see Barca get a berth at the Club World Cup.
Should Atleti top Dortmund again next week, though, Barca would have to go on and lift the Champions League outright even if they can win both potential semifinal legs versus the club from the capital.
Considering bonus money as per UEFA figures for continuing to progress in the Champions League, plus the earmarked $53.5 million (€50 million) for participation in the Club World Cup according to Mundo Deportivo, there is essentially a payday worth just up to $88.5 million (€82.5 million) on the line here if Barca goes all the way.
First appeared on www.forbes.com