Manchester City has hit the jackpot in UEFA's latest payout scheme. The Premier League giants received a whopping €5.17 million (about $5.94 million) for releasing their players to international duty, more than any other club in Europe.
This cash injection comes as part of UEFA's Club Benefits Programme, which rewards teams for letting their stars participate in national team competitions. It's a nice bonus for City's coffers and recognition of their squad's international importance.
Record-Breaking Distribution Across European Football
UEFA has distributed an unprecedented €233 million to 901 clubs spanning all 55 member associations. The money compensates teams for releasing players to the UEFA Nations League (2020-21 and 2022-23), European Championship qualifiers (2022-24), and Euro 2024 itself.
Real Madrid wasn't far behind City, pocketing €4.79 million. Italian champions Inter Milan rounded out the top three with €4.65 million. These figures highlight which clubs are supplying the most talent to national team competitions.
The payment system is straightforward. Clubs receive equal shares for each player released for Nations League and Euro qualifying matches. They also get a fixed daily rate for players participating in the final tournament.
Even Small Clubs Cash In
What makes this program special is how it benefits clubs at all levels. Even Yorkshire Amateur, a tenth-tier English side, received €7,300 – proving the program's reach extends throughout the football pyramid.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the importance of this wide distribution: "It is fantastic to see clubs of all sizes and levels receiving financial rewards for their vital role in developing players who contribute to national team competitions."
This cycle's payout represents a significant increase from previous distributions. The total for player releases jumped from €70 million to €100 million compared to the last cycle. The European Championship specific allocation also grew from €130 million to €140 million, benefiting 196 clubs from 29 different UEFA member associations.
For betting enthusiasts, these figures provide interesting insights into which clubs might be more affected by international breaks. Teams receiving larger payouts typically have more international players, potentially impacting their performance during congested fixture periods following international duty.
Manchester City's position at the top suggests they have the most players regularly participating in European international competitions. This could be a consideration when placing bets on their matches immediately after international windows, when player fatigue might be a factor.
The program's expansion also shows UEFA's commitment to sharing the wealth throughout football's ecosystem. As Ceferin noted, "When football thrives, everyone benefits" – a philosophy that's now backed by real financial support.
