Bayern Munich’s disappointing World Cup payday

Bayern Munich players have had a World Cup to forget. Although French finalist Corentin Tolisso has extended the run of Bayern finalists to 36 years, the group stage exits of Germany and Poland and the penalty-shootout failures of Spain and Colombia prematurely thwarted the World Cup dreams of Die Roten footballers.

These exits not only dashed the hopes of Bayern players, but also hit the pocketbook of the Bavarian giants. According to a report from AZ, the Rekordmeister will be reimbursed just €2.35 million by FIFA for the participation of its players. FIFA’s “Club Benefits Programme” allocated €180 million in funding to reimburse clubs due to the risk of injury. Considering the Bavarians’ influence in the DFB, and the participation of global superstars such as James Rodriguez and Robert Lewandowski, Bayern expected to cash out.

AZ credits Germany’s disappointing showing with Bayern’s reduced allocation.

For Munich, it is only enough for eleventh place. The German Rekordmeister will receive “only” €2.35 million from World Cup payments. The reason, of course, is above all the disappointing performance of the German national team at this year’s World Cup. The English Premier League is first with €34.79 million in revenue. The Spanish league (€18.66 million) is second, and the German Bundesliga (€15.86 million) third.

Eleventh place is not ideal for the Bavarians and, in the grand scheme, €2.35 million is a drop in the bucket for a team like Bayern. There is a silver lining, though: as new Manager Niko Kovac implements a new tactical philosophy and the players are eager to be included in his first team plans, a relatively healthy and rested team may be just what the defending champions need as they strive for more silverware.

How do you think Corentin Tolisso will perform on Sunday? Who is your pick to win it all?