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Real Madrid have clarified their stance on the FIFA Club World Cup despite recent statements attributed to manager Carlo Ancelotti
Recently crowned European Champions Real Madrid have clarified that they intend to play in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup tournament in 2025, denying rivals Barcelona the chance to collect €50 million (₦79 billion) in prize money.
Real Madrid release statement on Club World Cup
After recent rumours that Real Madrid would not be participating in the FIFA Club World Cup to protect players from fatigue, Los Blancos have denied such rumours, clarifying their stance in a statement released on their official website and social media.
Their statement read, “Real Madrid C. F. reports that at no time has his participation in the new Club World Cup to be organized by FIFA in the next 2024/2025 season been questioned. Therefore, our club will play, as planned, this official competition that we face with pride and with the utmost enthusiasm to make our millions of fans around the world dream again with a new title.”
Ancelotti denies asking Real Madrid intention to boycott Club World Cup
During a recent interview, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying the 15-time Champions League winners would not be participating at the tournament, but has now clarified the statements made, saying his words were taken out of context.
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He posted a message on his social media platform, X formerly known as Twitter, handle @mrancelotti saying, “In my interview with Il Giornale, my words about the FIFA Club World Cup were not interpreted in the way I intended.
“Nothing could be further from my interest than to reject the possibility of playing in a tournament that I consider could be a great opportunity to continue fighting for big titles with Real Madrid.”
Barcelona miss out on financial reward
Barcelona would have been beneficiaries if Real Madrid had pulled out of the tournament next summer since the tournament will feature the two highest-ranked teams in Spain by FIFA based on their performance in international competition.
With Real Madrid’s rumoured withdrawal, the two teams from Spain would have been Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, which would have seen the Blaugrana pocket a cool €50 million in prize money for participating in the Club World Cup.
However, with Real Madrid now clarifying that they will be present in the tournament, the Blaugrana, who are third in Spain in FIFA coefficient standings will miss out on the much-needed cash windfall given their financial situation.
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