After six acts full of twists and surprises, the Champions League will bow out for a few months. Indeed, the most beautiful European competition will not return before mid-February with beautiful posters in perspective. While waiting to learn more on the subject, since the draw will take place on Monday, the 32 clubs who were on the starting line know how much they will pocket after the group stage. Real Madrid, undefeated in six matches, will hit the jackpot. But what about our two French representatives?
In Group B with Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla FC, Racing Club de Lens was not the favorite. But the Blood and Gold knew how to fight with their weapons. Result: they finished this group stage with an honorable record of 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. From this campaign, we will notably remember their great success against Arsenal on October 3 with a score of 2 to 1. The Northerners, third and transferred to the Europa League play-offs in 2024, will obtain a nice check. Indeed, UEFA has set the amount of the bonus paid in the event of victory at €2.8 million. For a draw, the club gets €930,000.
Lens gets a nice check
Thus, Lens, which therefore has two successes and two on the clock, earned €7.46 million. To this must be added the various bonuses paid by UEFA, such as income linked to the marketpool. Second in the last French championship, the RCL has a 45% share, or €27 million. The Northerners also pocketed money thanks to the bonus linked to their coefficient (€2.274 million) and their participation in the C1 (€15.64 million). To all this, we must add 500,000 euros which corresponds to the amount allocated for participation in the C3. In total, Lens therefore gained around €52.87 million. Something to put butter in the spinach.
Another French representative on the European scene, Paris Saint-Germain was expected around the corner. In the group of death with Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle, the capital club had everything to come out on paper. But the changes during the last transfer window were certainly too numerous. Less impressive and imperial, Paris finished this first round with a record of 2 victories, 2 draws and 2 defeats. The Magpies (October 4) and the Rossoneri (November 7) defeated Luis Enrique’s troops.
PSG fills its pockets
Until the end, they had to fight to try to qualify. After a final match of fear in Dortmund, Kylian Mbappé’s teammates obtained a draw (1-1). After these 6 matches, PSG pocketed €7.46 million thanks to its results. Like the Lensois, the French champions will also pocket a participation bonus of €15.64 million, as well as income linked to the coefficient (€30.7 million) and the marketpool which will bring in €33 million. To all this, we must add €9.6 million for qualification for the round of 16. The Ile-de-France residents will therefore receive a nice sum of €96.4 million!
Good news for the residents of the Parc des Princes, especially since elimination in the Champions League would have caused Paris to lose €20 million. The club would have had significant losses in ticketing and merchandising if it had been eliminated and sent to C3. But Paris will be good in the next round and will be able to continue to fill its pockets. In the event of a perfect run to the final, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi’s club could win up to €52.7 million additional. Enough to motivate Luis Enrique’s men, who risk running into a big opponent in the next round.
