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The €52m-plus cost of Man Utd going out of the UEFA Champions League

Manchester United had missed the sound of that familiar and stirring anthem, but just three months after returning to the Champions League, the Red Devils look to be heading for the exit door far sooner than they had imagined.

After a series of games that have been highly-entertaining for neutrals but unbearable for fans, Erik ten Hag’s side need a miracle on Tuesday to avoid leaving European football’s biggest party early. Not only do United need to win their final Group A match against Bayern Munich – who have not lost a group game for more than six years – they need to pray for a draw in the other game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray, where both sides will be desperate to win to make it through to the last 16 themselves.

It is a tall order, but United only have themselves to blame for getting into this predicament after winning just one of their five matches and conceding a remarkable 14 goals in the process, leaving them bottom of a group they would have expected to comfortably finish second in.

And if they are unable to pull off a miraculous escape act, they stand to lose out on considerable amounts of money as well as a significant blow to their prestige. GOAL counts the real cost of the Red Devils bowing out of the Champions League this week…

Missing out on prize money
United will have to ready themselves for an initial hit of €9.6m (£8.2m/$9.m) in prize money for failing to make the last 16, and also forgo the other bonuses that come when progressing further in the competition: €10.6m (£9.1m/$11.4m) for reaching the quarter-finals, €12.5m (£10m/$13m) for the semi-finals, €15.5m (£13.3m/$16.6m) for finishing runners-up and €20m (£17m/$21m) for winning the competition.

That’s a maximum of €52.7m (£45m/$56m), even if it were highly unlikely that Ten Hag’s chaotic side were ever going to win the Champions League. But they did reach the quarter-finals in both 2014 and 2019, so a more realistic figure of €20.2m (£17m/$21m) could have been on offer. To put it another away, enough to buy a Manuel Akanji or a Tyrell Malacia…

Fewer matches equals less money
United would also miss out on big money-spinning matches in the knockout rounds. According to the Sports Journal, United made an average of £3.96m ($4.9m) per Premier League match in 2022 – more than any other side in the English top-flight – and that figure will be £4.2m ($5.2m) this season after the club raised ticket prices by 5 percent.

If United were to be drawn against a colossal club like Real Madrid or Barcelona in the last 16, the figure would be higher still. So that’s a potential £12.6m ($15.8m) at least in matchday revenue that could be secured if United go as far as the semi-finals.

The club could recoup some of that money if they drop into the Europa League, which also contains an extra match in the play-off round, although demand for tickets is likely to be lower, as would the prices of those tickets, unless they draw a top-level opponent like Liverpool in a later round.

Less broadcast revenue
United will also earn less television money if they exit the competition early. UEFA offers a total of €300m (£257m/$323m) in broadcast revenue which is distributed to each federation based on the value of their television market.

The English broadcast deal is the biggest, so Premier League clubs are entitled to more money than their counterparts. United have already secured half of this amount, but the other half is paid out in proportion to how many matches each club pays.

So if Ten Hag’s side exit at the group stage, they will get a far smaller slice of the cake than if they had gone deep into the competition.

Sliding down the coefficient table
An additional €600m (£515m/$646m) is shared among clubs according to their UEFA coefficient, which is calculated over 10 years and based on performance in European competitions. The lowest-ranked team earns €1.1m while the top team is awarded €36.4m.

Real Madrid currently lead the coefficient standings, followed by Bayern Munich and Barcelona. United are ranked 11th, with Man City fourth and Liverpool eighth.

Last season, Chelsea were ranked highest of the English clubs (they are now positioned sixth) and pocketed €32m. Tottenham, ranked lowest of the English clubs, took €19m. Should United exit the competition and also miss out on the Europa League, then they could slide down the rankings, although their relatively strong performances in the Europa League and Champions League in previous seasons mean they will not make a considerable loss. But it all adds up.

Increased financial pressure
The sums might not seem catastrophic given United posted a record revenue of £648m ($813m) last season, but the club are not exactly in rude financial health. They made a loss of £27.8m ($33m) this year and a £115.5m ($144m) loss the previous year, although that was largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They continue to sail close to the wind with regards to both the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and UEFA’s financial fair play regulations, falling foul of the latter in June and being forced to pay a €300,000 fine. The club have done a particularly bad job of selling on players, especially compared to their rivals, bringing in just €110m in sales over the last three years while spending €589m on new arrivals.

In other words, they need all the revenue they can get, and the loss of Champions League earnings will put the club’s finances under more pressure.

No longer a top club?
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United have only managed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League twice. They have been knocked out in the last 16 twice and failed to even qualify on four occasions. If they fall short on Tuesday, it will be the third time they have been knocked out at the group stage.

It is not the track record of a top club and pales in comparison to the consistency of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and even Liverpool, until they failed to qualify last season. United still see themselves as among the top clubs in the world, but another hugely disappointing showing in the most prestigious competition will mean they will be the only ones to think so.

Jude-Bellingham(C)GettyImages
Overlooked by the best players
United’s failure to compete properly in the Champions League inevitably means they are struggling to attract the best emerging players. The club failed to convince both Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland to join as youngsters, and once both players were established stars at Borussia Dortmund and looking for their next move, United weren’t even in the conversation.

The Red Devils can still pay top wages, but they are struggling to attract real elite players at the peak of their powers. Casemiro and Raphael Varane may have joined from Real Madrid, but that was only once the Spanish giants had concluded they were past their best and wanted to cash in on them.

The best players not only want a guarantee of playing in the Champions League, they want to have the best chance of lifting that coveted trophy. And United cannot offer them either at the moment.

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Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers In 2025: Mahrez, Mane & Koulibaly Lead The Rich List

Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Kalidou Koulibaly — the top three highest-paid African footballers in 2025.

African footballers have never been more dominant—on and off the pitch. The year 2025 shows just how powerful the combination of Saudi Pro League riches and Europe’s financial giants has become, pushing African stars into the upper tier of world football’s earners.

According to official contract figures, Riyad Mahrez currently wears the crown as the highest-paid African footballer in the world, pocketing a staggering £827,448 per week at Al-Ahli.

Mahrez Leads With Record Salary

The 34-year-old Algerian winger joined Al-Ahli in July 2023, becoming one of the marquee faces of Saudi Arabia’s football revolution. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Mahrez remains hugely influential, contributing 29 goals and 35 assists in 78 appearances.

His paycheck—close to £1 million a week—places him far ahead of his peers and cements his status as Africa’s top financial earner in football history.
James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Sadio Mane & Kalidou Koulibaly Not Far Behind

  • Sadio Mane sits second on the list, raking in £634,060 per week at Al-Nassr, where he lines up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. After a mixed stint at Bayern Munich, Mane has rediscovered his form and fortune in Saudi Arabia.

  • Kalidou Koulibaly, also from Senegal, takes home £550,047 weekly at Al-Hilal after swapping Chelsea for Riyadh in 2023. The veteran defender’s leadership has been key in keeping Al-Hilal at the top of the Pro League.
    Sadio Mane: Bayern Munich set to table £42.5m bid to meet ...

Salah Still Europe’s Top Earner

Among African players still in Europe, Mohamed Salah reigns supreme. The Egyptian King earns £350,000 per week at Liverpool, having signed a fresh extension in April 2025. His loyalty was rewarded not just with financial security but also with another Premier League title in 2024/25, keeping him as one of the continent’s most influential athletes.
Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool after contract ...

Osimhen, Hakimi & Kessie Break Into The Top Ten

  • Victor Osimhen – Following a successful loan, the Nigerian forward sealed a permanent move to Galatasaray in July 2025, earning £250,000 per week.

  • Achraf Hakimi – The Moroccan right-back continues to shine at PSG, with wages of £230,639 weekly.

  • Franck Kessie – Since leaving Barcelona for Al-Ahli in 2023, the Ivorian midfielder has been collecting £221,921 per week.
    Victor Osimhen Breaks Silence on Man Utd, PSG Transfer Rumors

The Veterans: Inaki Williams & Edouard Mendy

  • Inaki Williams, loyal to Athletic Bilbao, earns £180,707 weekly, making him one of La Liga’s highest-paid African stars.

  • Edouard Mendy, meanwhile, thrives at Al-Ahli with 32 clean sheets in 74 games and wages of £174,366 per week.
    Inaki Williams: If Barcelona were to call me? Athletic Club is above everything | Goal.com Nigeria

Top 10 Highest-Paid African Footballers Weekly Salaries (2025)

  1. Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) – £827,448

  2. Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) – £634,060

  3. Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) – £550,047

  4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – £350,000

  5. Omar Marmoush (Man City) – £295,000

  6. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) – £250,000

  7. Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – £230,639

  8. Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli) – £221,921

  9. Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) – £180,707

  10. Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahli) – £174,366

The Rise Of African Power Earners

The financial dominance of Saudi clubs on this list reflects a broader shift in world football. African stars are no longer just global icons on the pitch—they are among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

From Mahrez’s record-breaking wages in Riyadh to Salah’s enduring empire at Anfield, 2025 has cemented the fact that African footballers are thriving both in influence and financial power.

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Inside David Beckham’s £111m Mansions And Manors As Victoria Opens Doors To Netflix Cameras

David and Victoria Beckham walking through their Cotswolds estate during Netflix documentary filming.

When it comes to football royalty, few names shine brighter than David Beckham. From Manchester United to Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, Beckham has conquered the football world. But off the pitch, he and his wife Victoria Beckham have built a lifestyle empire that’s now opening up to Netflix cameras once again.

Fans are being treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the Beckhams’ £111 million property portfolio, spread across the UK, Miami, and London. The three-part series starring Victoria Beckham takes viewers beyond the glamour of red carpets and fashion runways, right into the couple’s stunning homes.

A Rustic Retreat In The Cotswolds

The Beckhams’ Grade II-listed farmhouse in the Cotswolds is pure countryside luxury. Purchased in 2016 for £6.15m, the sprawling estate features chandeliers, fireplaces, and a giant orchard. It’s the perfect escape for family gatherings, and yes, cameras capture David casually cooking up family feasts in their giant kitchen.

Miami Mega-Mansion Worth £55m

Across the pond, the Beckhams own one of Florida’s most spectacular properties: a waterfront mansion in Miami, valued at £55m. With six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a private spa, a theatre, and a pool overlooking Biscayne Bay, it’s their most extravagant purchase yet.

Victoria speaks to viewers from this property’s floor-to-ceiling windowed living room, giving fans a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. No surprise, considering David’s heavy involvement with Inter Miami CF – the MLS club that famously brought Lionel Messi to the U.S.

London Luxury In Holland Park

Back in the English capital, the Beckhams’ Holland Park townhouse shines in Victoria’s documentary. The £31.5m property features a bay-windowed dining area with garden views, alongside luxury add-ons like a gym, spa, wine cellar, and even a nail salon. After investing a further £8m in renovations, this home epitomizes celebrity living in London.

More Than Just Mansions

The Netflix documentary doesn’t just highlight luxury; it shows the Beckhams’ balance of family, fame, and legacy. For David, who already has a football-focused Netflix feature under his belt, and Victoria, now stepping into the spotlight with her own series, it’s about more than just homes—it’s about letting fans into their world.

From football legend to lifestyle mogul, David Beckham’s story continues to evolve, and the mansions are simply part of the bigger picture.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Football’s First Billionaire Player

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating in an Al-Nassr jersey after becoming football’s first billionaire player with a $1.4bn net worth.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again broken records — this time not on the pitch, but in the world of wealth. According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr forward has officially become football’s first billionaire player, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.04bn).

A Journey Of Goals And Gold

Bloomberg’s valuation takes into account Ronaldo’s career earnings, endorsements, and investments. The numbers are mind-blowing:

  • $550m (£410m) in salary between 2002 and 2023.

  • A decade-long Nike deal worth nearly $18m (£13.4m) a year.

  • His mega Saudi Pro League contract with Al-Nassr, reportedly paying him a record £177m annually.

And if that wasn’t enough, Ronaldo signed a new two-year deal worth over $400m (£298m), keeping him at Al-Nassr beyond his 42nd birthday.

Messi vs Ronaldo: The Financial Rivalry

As always, Lionel Messi isn’t far from the conversation. The Argentine and Inter Miami star has earned over $600m (£447m) in pre-tax salary during his illustrious career. He also secures $20m (£15m) annually since 2023, which, according to Bloomberg, is just about 10% of Ronaldo’s income in the same period.

Messi may not top Ronaldo’s financial status yet, but his retirement plan includes a stake in Inter Miami, setting him up for billionaire territory too.

More Than Just A Player

Ronaldo’s financial empire is built on more than football. With savvy investments, endorsement deals, and a global brand that stretches across fashion, fitness, and lifestyle, CR7 has transformed himself into a global sports business icon.

The billionaire milestone proves what fans already knew: Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a football legend — he’s an empire.

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