Atlético de Madrid faced a pivotal night in Rotterdam. The result did more than secure a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League; it also echoed the previous season when the club stumbled out of Europe in the group stage. The financial stakes were high, too. A passage to the knockout rounds would unlock substantial revenue, helping to anchor the club’s finances after a difficult start to 2023, when the stadium was repurposed for concerts, graduations, and even mass ceremonies to diversify income streams.
For Atlético, the ugliest and most beautiful goals are worth the round of 16
Thus, the match carried enormous significance for the institution. A victory and qualification ensured a welcomed inflow, with 35.5 million euros added to the red-and-whites’ coffers. These funds would flow into this season’s sports revenues, a hypothesis that had to be proven on the field. The pressure showed in the tense expressions of Diego Pablo Simeone and his players as they prepared for the match and in the tunnel before kickoff.
Distribution of 35.5 million
Prior to stepping onto the turf at De Kuip, Atlético had already secured 14.8 million dollars to join the competition, including a bonus of 840,000 euros. Another 2.8 million came from wins, translating to 8.4 million for three wins and 1.86 million for two draws (930,000 per draw). In total, the club earned 10.26 million from points in play, with the prospect of further gains in the remaining match against Lazio at the Metropolitano. The prize for reaching the round of 16 added 9.6 million to Atlético’s security. All told, today’s revenues stand at 35.5 million euros. [citation: UEFA financial reports, 2023-24 season]
Geertruida opened the scoring with an own goal in the 14th minute, a moment that briefly shifted the balance as Justin Bijlow faced Álvaro Morata in a one-on-one. A miscommunication between goalkeeper and defender shortened the route to a bigger scare for Atlético, and Mario Hermoso soon delivered a well-timed finish in a manner reminiscent of Van Basten, sealing the win and securing a place in the knockout rounds regardless of the Lazio result at the Metropolitano. Simeone exhaled after the goal, sharing a quiet moment of relief with Nelson Vivas as the implication sank in. Wieffer’s late strike closed the match, while an own goal by Santiago Giménez in the dying minutes put the finishing touch on the scoreline.
If Atlético can press on in Europe, the rewards would be considerable. Reaching the quarter-finals would bring 10.6 million, with another 12.5 million possible in the semi-finals. The grand final at Wembley carries a 15.5 million prize, plus a 4.5 million bonus for the winner. A successful campaign would push total earnings toward 78.6 million euros, strengthening the club’s finances and its ability to compete at Europe’s top level. [citation: UEFA prize money structure, 2023-24]