December 6th 2024.
According to Andre Villas-Boas, the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup is still in the process of negotiating its prize money. As the president of Porto, he has also issued a warning to both Chelsea and Manchester City that the prize money may not meet their initial expectations.
Chelsea, who secured their spot in the tournament by winning the Champions League in 2021, have been placed in Group D alongside Club Leon, Flamengo, and Esperance Tunis. On the other hand, Manchester City will face tough competition in Group G against the likes of Juventus, Wydad AC, and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
Despite concerns from players and managers about the packed football schedule and the risk of injuries, FIFA has stated that all clubs must field their strongest starting line-ups for the tournament. However, Villas-Boas has revealed that negotiations are still ongoing regarding the prize money for the participating clubs.
During a recent event, he stated, "The European Club Association is still in talks with FIFA to determine a fair distribution of funds for the European clubs. We estimate that the amount will be between €16 million and €20 million, with a possibility of increasing based on each club's performance."
The draw for next year's Club World Cup took place on Friday, and Villas-Boas expressed his excitement about Porto's presence in the competition. "For us, this is a significant opportunity, especially after missing out on the Champions League this year. We have previously won the Continental Cup twice, but this is the first time in this new format, and we are immensely proud to represent our club on this global stage."
In Group A, Porto will face tough competition from Brazilian side Palmeiras, Egyptian champions Al Ahly, and Inter Miami, who will kick off the tournament on June 15, 2025. Villas-Boas shared an interesting anecdote about Palmeiras, saying, "We received a special Club World Cup shirt from them back in August, before the draw was even announced. It was a lovely gesture and adds to the excitement of facing them, especially with a Portuguese coach on their side."
Speaking about the challenges that Porto may face in the group stage, Villas-Boas said, "Egyptian teams are always known for their competitiveness and intensity, making them difficult opponents. And of course, there's Inter Miami, a North American team with star players like Messi, which adds to the thrill of the game."
Overall, Villas-Boas is looking forward to a fiercely competitive tournament, and he hopes to do his club proud by putting up a strong performance. He concluded, "We are honored to be a part of this prestigious competition, and we will give our all to showcase the strength and talent of FC Porto."
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