After yet another season in which Barcelona failed to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League, there could be grave financial consequences for the club.

Although operating with thin finances, the club had already budgeted for a quarterfinal finish in the Champions League, at the very least.

Advertisement

That means the club have not generated any additional revenue beyond what was already budgeted for the financial planning for the year, thanks to an early exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

What Barcelona missed out on

According to Diario SPORT, Barcelona’s exit at the quarterfinal stage means they have forfeited a significant sum in UEFA prize money that would have otherwise been available to strengthen their summer transfer budget.

Had they progressed further, they would have been entitled to an additional €15 million for reaching the semi-finals, €18.5 million for a place in the final, and a further €6.5 million had they gone on to win the trophy.

Barcelona have missed out on sizable revenue due to UCL exit. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Advertisement

In total, that represents up to €40 million in additional prize money that will now not be coming through the doors at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona’s total earnings from this season’s Champions League stand at €100.34 million, but as the report makes clear, that figure was already built into the club’s initial budget.

There is no surplus and no windfall to redirect towards transfer activity, which does not bode well for a club in poor financial health.

The timing is particularly unfortunate given the scale of Barcelona’s summer ambitions. The club are targeting a major operation in the region of €80-90 million, with a world-class centre-forward and a new central defender firmly in their sights.

With the wage bill also expected to rise next season due to renewals and potential new arrivals, every missing million counts.