Barcelona make Copa del Rey a top priority with €6 million income at stake for next season

The Copa del Rey has taken on a special dimension for FC Barcelona and become a priority for the club this season, reports Jordi Gil of SPORT.

Defeat in the final of the Spanish Super Cup has left the club without a trophy and Xavi Hernandez himself reminded us that the objective in his third season in charge of the team was to lift silverware.

And, the title that is currently closest at hand is the Copa del Rey. If they eliminate Unionistas de Salamanca, Barça would reach the quarter-finals and would then only have to play a two-legged semi-final to reach the final.

Xavi aspires to lead his men to the final on April 6 at La Cartuja in Seville. Winning the Copa del Rey is one of the goals that the manager has not yet achieved in the Barça dugout and wishes to change.

In his first season, Barcelona were knocked out in the last 16 by Athletic Club while last season saw Real Madrid oust the Catalans over a two-legged affair in the semi-finals.

€6 million income at stake

Another important reason for Barcelona to prioritise the Copa del Rey is the monetary benefits.

In the case of the Copa del Rey, there is an extra prize in the form of qualification for the Spanish Super Cup in 2025.

After all, if Barça make it through to the finals of the competition, they would be guaranteed a place in the Super Cup next year. And, that would mean a fixed income of €6 million, which is already budgeted by the club.

Barcelona took home €7.3 million from this edition of the Super Cup, as they added €1 million for being the finalists, in addition to the €300,000 that the RFEF grants for travel expenses.

The aim thus will be to go all the way in the Copa del Rey as it would not only guarantee a trophy but monetary benefits for next season.