So, Man City didn’t lift the Club World Cup trophy in the U.S.—but their accountants are definitely lifting a glass. Despite a jaw-dropping (and not in a good way) last-16 exit to Al Hilal, the reigning English champions strutted back to Manchester with a hefty £38 million. Yes, for three weeks’ work. That’s roughly £1.8 million a day—or, as Pep Guardiola might call it, “a decent Tuesday.”
When Man City loses, their bank account still scores.
Sure, they missed out on the eye-watering £97 million prize by not reaching the summit, but who’s crying over £10 million in prize money and a likely £28 million participation fee? That’s right—no one at the Etihad. Even if the silverware didn’t shine this time, the financial windfall glistened just fine.
With group stage wins netting £1.5 million each and a sweet £5.5 million for reaching the knockouts, Man City are laughing all the way to the bank. And given that FIFA’s reward system reads like a Sudoku puzzle designed by a Wall Street analyst, City’s near-maximum fee is probably a badge of their European dominance.
Man City: Champions League or Bust
Now, the real game begins. Only two clubs per country can make it to the 2029 edition—and no English side is guaranteed a spot yet. If two Premier League foes steal the Champions League thunder before City can, the Blues might be watching the tournament from their hyperbaric sofas.
Still Hungry for More
Man City may not have won the Club World Cup, but they’ve mastered the art of monetizing disappointment. With qualification for 2029 hinging on consistency (and ideally another UCL title), the race is on. One thing’s certain—when it comes to making headlines or making money, Man City rarely leaves empty-handed.
And hey, who needs a trophy when you’ve got 38 million reasons to smile?
As featured on ManCityNews.com
