Real Madrid’s billion-dollar record - AS USA

A few days ago, during the Champions League draw in Monaco, UEFA’s top officials were focused on what is happening inside FIFA, the organization’s new declared enemy under president Aleksander Čeferin. The years of open conflict with Real Madrid and the Super League are now behind them. Those were undoubtedly difficult times. A rapprochement between the two sides and a thaw in relations with the world’s biggest club helped heal that particular wound last season, but it has also created a new landscape.

Real Madrid is the undisputed king of the UEFA competition that matters most, the Champions League, which gets underway this week with plenty of fanfare. Having the governing body at odds with the club that has won the tournament more than anyone else never made much sense. Despite the rise of new-money powers such as Manchester City and PSG, both champions in the past five years, and the resurgence of historic clubs such as Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Madrid adds more prestige to the 36-team league phase than any other club.

And even the Premier League’s enormous financial power, along with PSG’s resources, has not stopped Madrid from entering this year’s competition with the most valuable squad in the field.

Madrid leads Champions League’s most valuable squads

Real Madrid’s squad is valued at $1.69 billion, ahead of Manchester City’s $1.66 billion and PSG’s $1.58 billion, which complete the top three. Four other clubs are valued at more than $1 billion: Arsenal ($1.54 billion), Barcelona ($1.46 billion), Bayern Munich ($1.21 billion) and Liverpool ($1.19 billion).

Neither institutionally nor on the field has anyone managed to diminish Real Madrid’s power.

That is why it makes more sense for UEFA to be on good terms with Madrid than to remain at odds with the club. Consider what that could mean going forward. UEFA could use the Santiago Bernabéu to host European finals, if the opportunity arises, while also being willing to hear and consider Madrid’s plans for exploiting the Super League concept, including the possible creation of a platform to broadcast matches. In Super League terminology, that was known as Unify.

It is better to be Real Madrid’s partner than its enemy. The people in Nyon know that well. The changing relationship between the two sides is proof that the balance of power has shifted.

Real Madrid’s billion-dollar record – AS USA

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