Real Madrid made it a point to take the club World Cup seriously before the tournament began in the United States, as illustrated by the appointment of Xabi Alonso, and the signing sessions of Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Undoubtedly, the attraction of keeping a more meaningful world title, as emphasized by Thibaut Courtois, but the financial side of the tournament is not lost either.
Although ticket sales did not go completely as FIFA expected, Real Madrid has been the most important event in the United States, with the greatest crowds being pulled – and making the most money. According to Diario AS, Los Blancos are now the highest earners in the competition, which Manchester City surpassed after their elimination in the round of 16. Until now, Real Madrid has already earned € 55.2 million through participation and progress.
That places them around € 2.9 million for Bayern Munich, € 4.9 million for Paris Saint-Germain, and € 6.9 million for Chelsea. The highest earning non-European sides are Palmeiras (€ 36.1 million) and Fluminense (€ 35.1 million). The lowest earners, Ulsan, Urawa Red Diamonds, Pachuca, Seattle Sounders and Wydad Casablanca left the tournament by € 8.3 million, while Atletico Madrid earned € 23 million for their exit.
Los Blancos, however, are only three games of doubling their money. If they came to the final and win it, Real Madrid would earn another € 56.4 million, a total of € 111.6 million. This is a way for the initially reported € 150 million, but is also not a drop in the ocean.
Were Real Madrid to reach the semi-final, it would be an additional € 19.4 million, so that their total was brought to € 74.6 million-generated to cover the € 70 million they spent on the transfer market this summer on Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Reaching the final is worth € 27.7 million and the gold medal is € 10 million on it.
This of course excludes extra income that Real Madrid can deliver through merchandising, marketing and advertisements. Winning the tournament would be almost enough to also finance a proposed movement of € 50 million for Benfica's Alvaro Carreras.