Benfica starts tomorrow its qualifying campaign for the semi-finals of the Champions League, which would represent a huge sporting feat, but also enters the field with the awareness of what financially will be at stake.
So far, in the current participation, the eagles have earned more than €72.5 million in the Champions League, which places it as the most profitable ever for the reds. Last season, earnings were €65.4 million (the team fell in the quarterfinals, against the English side of Liverpool) and, in previous installments, in 2019/20 the team earned €51.4 million; in 2018/19, €52.2 million; and, in the 2015/16 season, €36.1 million.
UEFA prizes were also much lower then, it should be noted.
But if Benfica, this season, has already achieved its most profitable participation ever, it is still on the verge of making the biggest entry ever achieved by a Portuguese team in European competitions. The record belongs to FC Porto, which received a €79.2 million check in 2018/19, when it reached the quarterfinals after a group stage with five wins and a draw. If Benfica, this year, manages to qualify for the semi-finals, they will receive a prize of over €12.5 million, will pass the bar of 80 million euros (€85,058M) and will set a new Portuguese maximum.
This is another (important) incentive for the team to attack the tie with Inter Milan, but it is the hope of sporting glory that enchants the fans.
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