Despite the fanfare, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas isn’t too happy about the Club World Cup.
The new expanded tournament underwent its first draw on Friday, unveiling who will play who from across the globe in the US next summer.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was in tow to show off the new trophy that has his name engraved in it, and despite the fanfare, one of the invitees wasn’t too happy.
FC Porto are one of two Portuguese sides who will be adding even more matches to their calendar, and it sounds like the financial returns may not be worth their players’ fitness.
Recently elected club president Villas-Boas was asked about the expected €50million participation fee, and revealed that the actual figure could end up being well below half that figure.
He told Record: “The ECA continues to communicate with FIFA to improve the awarding and distribution of prizes. It is estimated that between €16 and €20 million will be awarded per participation, with an increase depending on the performance achieved.
“This is well below initial expectations, but it is still important for FC Porto, as we missed out on the Champions League this year…”
Despite his complaints, the former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham head coach did go on to express his excitement for the competition.
“But I also say this from the bottom of my heart: we are delighted to be in this competition and very proud,” he said. “We have won the Intercontinental Cup twice and we want to be in this competition and honour those accolades.
“I watched the draw with great emotion, with pleasure. It was also a curious story… Palmeiras ended up being one of the first clubs to start exchanging pennants with FC Porto without knowing the result of the draw, in August.
“They made a point of sending us a commemorative Club World Cup shirt without us even knowing that we would be playing against each other. It was also curious that there was a Portuguese coach, who if he remains in charge will bring more Portuguese pride to the game.
“Al Ahly among the Egyptian teams, which are always tough, intense and always with a dedication and intensity in the game that is difficult to control. And then Inter Miami, with all its stars and with everything that an American team surrounded by all its stars like Messi and everyone else means at the moment.”
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