Juventus out early, but one star shines | OneFootball

Juventus’s Club World Cup campaign ended at the round of 16 stage, an early exit that left a mixed assessment of their place among the tournament’s elite both on and off the pitch, according to reports from Tutto Juve and Bianconera News.

Drawn against Real Madrid in the knockout phase, Juventus were eliminated by the Spanish side, cutting short hopes of a deeper run into the later stages. That result largely shaped both the club’s sporting and financial outcomes in the newly expanded competition. In terms of prize money, Juventus finished 14th out of 32 participating clubs, collecting €26.2 million from the FIFA prize pool—a sum notably behind domestic rivals Inter, who took ninth place with €36.8 million after progressing further. At the top end, Chelsea earned €114.6 million for their tournament win, while PSG and Real Madrid collected €106.9 million and €82.5 million, respectively.

Despite their limited progression, Juventus did find an individual bright spot. Goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, signed last summer, was named the tournament’s top shot-stopper by statistical site WhoScored with an average match rating of 7.56—an accolade that put him at the top of a best XI that included players such as Hakimi, Otamendi, and Messi. Di Gregorio’s consistent performances stood out even as the club as a whole struggled to match the levels of the competition’s front-runners.

Juventus’s presence at the event was also felt off the pitch through the visibility of Exor, the holding company of the Agnelli Elkann family. Reflecting the commercial weight of the Juventus brand, club sponsor Jeep maintained a strong profile as Official Automotive Partner, featuring prominently in stadium advertising during the final, as reported by Calcio e Finanza and noted by Tutto Juve. This connection ensured both Exor and associated brands remained in the spotlight even after the team’s on-field exit.

Financially, the Club World Cup reinforced the growing gaps in international football, both in sporting success and prize distribution. Juventus’s early exit underlined the challenges Serie A clubs face when matched against the financial and competitive powerhouses from England, France, and Spain. While Inter’s deeper run highlighted some progress for Italian football, both sides were outpaced by the tournament’s eventual winners.

From a squad perspective, praise for Di Gregorio will provide some optimism as Juventus look ahead, but the overall campaign exposed the work required to compete consistently at this level. Summer transfer business, squad restructuring, and tactical cohesion will be central themes as the club tries to build on individual strengths and close the gap on Europe’s most successful clubs.

(Sources: Tutto Juve, Bianconera News)

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