Napoli owner De Laurentiis makes promise to players ahead of Barcelona game

Napoli owner promises over €10 million in bonuses to players if they progress in Champions League, aiming for 2025 Club World Cup.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis had an exciting promise for his players before their Champions League clash against Barcelona. The Italian team was looking to make a mark after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. De Laurentiis, in an interview with journalist Guillem Balague, revealed that he would offer his players over €10 million in bonuses if they advanced to the quarter-finals. This generous offer was a significant motivation for the players as they took on Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

De Laurentiis has his sights set on qualifying for the 2025 Club World Cup, with Napoli competing against Juventus and Inter Milan for a spot in the prestigious tournament. The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, announced that the Club World Cup would expand to a 32-team tournament in 2025, with 12 clubs from Europe participating. This expansion would bring in significant financial rewards for the participating teams, with each team expected to receive at least £25 million, potentially rising to £50 million.

If Napoli could overcome Barcelona and progress in the Champions League, they would be in a strong position to qualify for the Club World Cup based on their performance in the tournament. De Laurentiis' promise of bonuses added an extra layer of excitement and motivation for the Napoli players as they aimed to achieve success on the European stage. The prospect of competing in the Club World Cup in 2025 was a significant goal for the club, and the players were determined to give their all to make it a reality.