Win or lose, Borussia Dortmund are in for a big payday after the Champions League final.
That’s because BVB is set to gain €25 million in total from Real Madrid as a transfer bonus if Jude Bellingham wins the Champions League.
The financial upside of defeat: Exploring BVB’s potential gains
Bellingham left for the Santiago Bernabeu last summer as part of a €103 million deal for the English youngster. His contract contained two bonus triggers: €5 million to BVB for a Champions League victory and another € 2 million for making the UCL Team of the Season. The second-place UCL team earns €15.5m, which, if BVB and on top of Bellingham’s bonuses, would earn the Bundesliga side more money should they lose.
You read that right. Should the Black and Yellow lose on June 1, shockingly, they’ll earn less than the Bellingham deal: €20 million.
In other words, Dortmund has nothing to lose in the Champions League final, except maybe if you’re a fan and player. Marco Reus, in particular, could earn the proper fairytale send-off he deserves after 12 years with the club. It’s his second attempt at Champions League glory after losing to Bayern Munich at Wembley in 2013.
Meanwhile, midfielder Bellingham looks to overtake Iker Casillas for the most Champions League starts before 21 years old with a record-breaking 32nd start at Wembley. The England international remains in disbelief of his opponents, colors he wore just last season.
“At Wembley, against Dortmund, it’s a weird one. I can’t believe it. I’m so looking forward to it, the atmosphere, the game itself. I think at this point of the competition, anyone who’s still in it or anyone that’s got to the final deserves to be there,” said Bellingham.
“So to cherry pick would be unfair. We’ve got here because we deserve to, they’ve got there because they deserve to, and that’s what the final is all about and hopefully it will be a great game.”
Photo: x/Football_Tweet
