For a massive club like FC Barcelona, competing in the grandest of competitions is always a great attraction. La Blaugrana, alongside their plethora of rivals, are always hoping to be the last team standing in any case. However, especially for Barcelona, there is something beyond just the sporting aspect worth fighting for.
Interestingly, despite not being involved themselves, these goals are further helped by the latest matchup in the UEFA Champions League. In the game between Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, the Italians emerged victorious, and this is great news for FC Barcelona and their objectives.
An understanding of why that is the case is given by SPORT. As it stands, the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 awaits the 32 most competent teams eligible as per UEFA’s point system. Currently, only Atletico Madrid possess a better chance than Barcelona at qualifying for it alongside their city rivals and Barça’s arch-rivals Real Madrid.
With 62 points currently given to Atletico Madrid, they are 7 points ahead of Barça (55). However, with their latest defeat to Inter, they are given no more points to their current tally. Yet, on the other hand, with Barcelona set to take on Napoli now, the Catalan giants can increase their tally by winning over the side from Naples.
A victory will give them two points, a draw gives one point, and qualification to the quarterfinals gives them an additional one point. That means that every leg won against Napoli gives Barcelona two points, and if they win both legs and make it to the quarterfinals, they increase their tally by 5 points.
On the other hand, if Atletico Madrid lose both legs against Inter, one already having been lost, they would have no further points to their tally of 62. So Barcelona essentially would need to win over Napoli in both legs, and then even a draw in both of their legs in a hypothetical quarterfinal would be enough to see them qualify for the global competition in 2025.
The reason behind why this competition would help Barcelona a lot goes beyond just sporting integrity. All the teams simply qualifying for it would be given a participation reward worth €50 million. For a club struggling with finances as Barça is, that amount is a great boost to them.
Moreover, winning said competition has a prize worth €100 million more. Thus, qualifying for this competition will aid Barcelona in their own goals a lot, and simultaneously it would help them keep those funds away from a direct rival in La Liga by eliminating Atletico Madrid in the process.
