The Spanish champions earned more money that the Champions League winners at the end of last season and are on target to do so again next year
Barcelona have landed the first blow in the build-up to the Clasico. The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Catalan club declared revenues of of €679 million for the 2015-16 season, an increase of 7.2 per cent on the €633m estimate from the previous year, as they completed a Liga and Copa del Rey double last term.
Madrid’s estimated income was €581m, but Los Blancos ultimately took home €620m – an increase of 6.7% – after winning the Champions League.
The projected income for both teams in 2016-17 is along the same lines, with Barca expected to amass a total of €695m and Madrid around €620m.
If the figures are confirmed by Deloitte, it will be the first time the Catalan club have beaten their rivals in terms of income over a full season, with Los Blancos topping the multinational firm’s famous rich list for the past 11 years.