Inter Miami is cashing in on the lush financial rewards of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, and they haven’t even broken a sweat yet! No need to lace up those boots when you can simply stand around and count your winnings, right?
After charmingly tying 2–2 with Palmeiras, having a casual draw with Al Ahly, and basking in the glory of a historic victory over Porto, Lionel Messi and his merry band of misfits are sitting pretty in second place in Group A with five lovely points. Who knew that being mediocre could be so lucrative?
As Messi ironically celebrates his 38th birthday, he’s showing no signs of slowing down—much like their bank account. Miami’s about to face off against their old friends, Paris Saint-Germain, in a round of 16 showdown at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 29. Talk about a “no pressure” situation!
The odds are about as favorable as a snowstorm in the Sahara, especially against PSG, Messi’s former playground. But hey, no harm in giving it a try! It’s practically a free hit; if they fall flat on their faces, they can still laugh all the way to the bank.
Financially, they’ve already hit the jackpot. In March, FIFA announced a whopping $1 billion prize fund, causing even the snootiest European teams to sit up and take notice. Miami might not be the reigning champions, but they got the charming ‘host’ spot, complete with a delightful $9.55 million just for participating.
They’re not just rolling in it; they’re practically diving into a Olympic-sized swimming pool filled with it! The payouts from their recent results? A cool $1 million for Al Ahly, a casual $2 million from Porto, and another $1 million from Palmeiras. So far, they’ve racked up a fluffy $21.05 million. MLS, who?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how significantly that kind of money adds up compared to life in MLS, where prize funds are about as enticing as a week-old sandwich. Miami didn’t see a penny from postseason glory in 2024, as they were ousted in the first round. Ah, the sweet taste of hindsight!
If they somehow eek out a win against PSG—a monumental feat—they could pocket an extra $13.125 million for just making it to the quarterfinals, which is the kind of encouragement every underdog dreams of. The prize money rises higher with every round, making it feel like a Fast and Furious movie—always escalating!
And let’s not forget Auckland City, the David to Miami’s Goliath. This semi-professional squad had to juggle jobs just to play in the Club World Cup. But in an ironic twist, they’re walking away with a $3.58 million payday for simply showing up. Talk about a pay-off for a weekend hobby!
