€125m windfall awaits winners

MANCHESTER United or Barcelona will cash in to the tune of €125m if they triumph in tonight’s Champions League final.

The record windfall will be a combination of official prize money, a boost for the club’s brand, enhanced media rights and an increase in the value of the squad, according to the study commissioned by MasterCard.

The losers will also benefit to the tune of an estimated €75m.

Professor Simon Chadwick, the author of the report, said: “United v Barcelona is the dream final as far as most football fans are concerned. But the English and Spanish champions are two of the most successful teams off the pitch too. They will collectively scoop €200m, making it the most lucrative final in European club football’s history.”

The overall worth of the final has reached record levels partly due to the presence of probably the world’s two most valuable football brands at Wembley. The report also states the final will be worth over €60m to the host city, London, and the city of the club that wins is likely to receive an economic boost of €20m through increased tourism and increased local expenditure.

The report also predicts the final will produce record interest from Latin American countries as there are a total of 12 Latin American players in the two squads.