Real Madrid players could reportedly earn a “juicy bonus” from Florentino Perez if they complete a comeback against Arsenal in the Champions League.
Following a chastening 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final tie in north London, the Spanish giants now face an uphill battle in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. But with club president Perez stepping in personally to raise morale, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown.
According to SPORT, Perez visited the Real Madrid dressing room at Mendizorroza following their narrow 1-0 La Liga win over Alaves.
There, the club chief is said to have directly addressed Kylian Mbappe and the rest of the stars in the dressing room, promising them a “juicy” financial reward should they secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals.
“If you win and reach the semi-finals, you’ll receive a reward from the club,” Perez reportedly declared, aiming to inspire belief in the squad as they prepare for a massive night under the lights at home.
This isn’t the first time the Real Madrid squad has received financial motivation this season. After their impressive victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the previous Champions League round, bonuses were reportedly paid out in recognition of the squad’s resilience and performance.
However, the stakes are even higher now. With Real Madrid trailing by three goals on aggregate, they will need a near-flawless performance to overturn the deficit against a disciplined Arsenal side.
Carlo Ancelotti has already held several meetings with his players seeking a “remontada” (a comeback). Reports in Spain continue to speculate on Ancelotti’s future beyond this season, and a disappointing exit from the Champions League could further complicate matters for the Italian, making the clash with Arsenal even more crucial for both his legacy and job security.
Goal.com
