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The historical classification of Al-Hilal na FIFA Club World Cupafter overcoming the powerful Manchester City 4-3, it was also a personal victory for the heir prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. With the trip to the quarterfinals of the competition, the club ensured that $ 39.825 million will return to the Saudi government coffers, through the Public Investment Fund (PIF)which controls 75% of the team.
This value, however, is not close to about $ 1 billion – around $ 5.6 billion – invested in the competition, which happens in USA.
Royal Court of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Award World and Saudi investments
With a billionaire award, the FIFA Club World Cup It is divided by phases, number of victories and draws.
- Each of the 32 clubs in the competition received US $ 15.2 million for their participation.
- In the group stage, the teams received $ 2 million for each victory and $ 1 million for a draw.
- The teams that qualified for the round of 16 received a prize of $ 7.5 million. Those who, as well as the Al-HilalThey went to the quarterfinals earn an additional $ 13.125 million.
- Those who qualify for the tournament semifinal will receive $ 21 million. The second -placed competition will earn $ 30 million. The champion receives $ 40 million.
In all, the Al-Hilal He won once and tied two others in the group stage. Added to the award for victories and draws, with the round of 16 and quarterfinals of the tournament, the Saudi team earned $ 39.825 million, more than $ 217 million in Brazilian real.
Controlled by the Saudi Prince since 2015, the PIF owns not only Al-Hilalas well as four other major teams of Saudi Arabia: Al-Nassr, Al-ITIHAD e Al-Ahli.
Billionaire investments in football began in 2016, when the Saudi kingdom launched the plan Vision 2023. With it, the most practiced sport around the world became a tool in local government efforts to reposition the country, diversify the economy of Saudi Arabia and reduce the dependence of Saudi oil. Since then, the Saudi Football Championship became the scene of great stars of world football, as Cristiano Ronaldo e Neymar.
Controversy
Despite the attempt to reposition the Saudi Arabia in the international community and make the country more attractive through sports, Mohammed bin Salman collects controversies.
The country’s agent is accused of being the mastermind of the murder of Jamal khashoggiopposing journalist of the Saudi government, in a consulate of the Saudi Arabia em Istanbulna Türkiye. In a report released in 2021, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the USA concluded that Bin Salman approved the murder of the journalist in the diplomatic representation.
Still, the heir prince of the Saudi throne maintains pragmatic relations with much of the international community, such as USA of Donald Trump and nations of European Union (EU).
Source: Metropolis
Written by Contilnet.
