England is on the brink of ending its long wait for a major trophy since 1966, as they prepare to face Spain in the Euro 2024 final this Sunday.
The squad, who have made it to the final back-to-back after their heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final against Italy, are not just playing for national glory but also for a hefty prize pot.
Should they triumph over Spain, the team is set to share up to $12.7 million (£10 million), as reported by the Daily Mail, with additional financial incentives promised through individual sponsorship deals.
Among those who will benefit from the bonus are Liverpool pair Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, both members of the squad. Alexander-Arnold in particular has plenty of individual sponsorship deals which could leave him in line for more lucrative rewards.
England’s skipper Harry Kane could be in for a sizeable bonus from his boot sponsor Sketchers if he secures the Golden Boot award. Currently, he’s leading the charge as the tournament’s top scorer, alongside notable names like Dani Olmo, Georges Mikautadze, Cody Gakpo, Ivan Schranz and Jamal Musiala.
Following the nail-biting 2-1 victory against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, an elated Kane shared with ITV: “History made. Amazing achievement. I’m so proud of everyone. Every player, every member of staff, I’m so proud of them.
“To do what we’ve done away from home is really special. There’s that feeling there’s one more left and we need to do that on Sunday.”
Kane, who sustained a foot injury in the semis, has confirmed his fitness for the final and expressed his excitement about the upcoming showdown with Spain.
“There’s one more game to make history,” he added. “That’s what we’re excited about. It’s been a tough journey but there’s one more. 90 minutes, 120, penalties, whatever it takes we’ll be there. I’m looking forward to it.”
While manager Gareth Southgate told BBC Sport: “There’s a different feel [than Euro 2020]. We’re now in a different moment as a team, two tournaments on and a lot more big match experience. I guess there was less of a celebration, perhaps less satisfaction at reaching a final.”
“I wouldn’t say it becomes run of the mill but it’s a little bit more normal for us. That statement in itself is probably a bit ridiculous given our history. What we do know is that in the end, how we’ll be viewed by others will be determined by the result on Sunday.”
