As indicated by UEFA figures, and highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona guaranteed at least $77.6 million in Champions League prize money through their victory over Porto on Tuesday.
The Catalans played a dismal opening half hour against their Portuguese visitors, who PepePEPE put ahead on 30 minutes.
Much to the chagrin of the travelling hoardes and those back home, however, two compatriots commonly associated with their arch nemesis Benfica – Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix – responded with goals to seal a 2-1 win for the hosts at the Montjuic Stadium.
Barca now leads Group H with 12 points as Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk trail on 9.
Because of this, they can’t yet say the group is won even though just a draw is required at Royal Antwerp on the final matchday to get the job done.
They might still claim top honors on goal difference as well, even if losing in Belgium.
What is for certain is that Barca have guaranteed passage to the last 16 for the first time since 2021 after two back-to-back failures to do so.
Furthermore, this week’s developments make cash-strapped Barca much richer as a club.
The win over Porto brought with it a $3.076 million (€2.8 million) bonus and a further $10.55 million (€9.6 million) for qualification to the knockout phases for a combined total of over $13.6 million (€12.4 million).
This amount can be added to the $63.9 million (€58.15 million) that was already guaranteed, which is made up of the first three wins Barca notched in the group ($9.2 million/€8.4 million), a bonus for their historical ranking in the competition ($37.5 million/€34.11 million), and participation in 2023/2024 ($17.2 million/€15.64 million).
Before the close of the group stage, Barca could add another $3.076 million by beating Antwerp, who they thrashed 5-0 at home in their opening fixture this term.
It is one step at a time of course and Barca could face a difficult foe in the business end of the tournament.
Yet it is not forbidden to dream about the further $11.65 million (€10.6 million) that could be secured by advancing to the quarter-finals from the last 16, a feat not achieved for three years when they met eventual winners Bayern Munich in 2020.
