Another payday in the desert

Posted Monday, December 29, 2014 by Marca.com

The desert, a showcase to promote the Real Madrid brand and 4 million euros is what awaits Carlo Ancelotti's men on their arrival in Dubai for the team's second visit to the region in 2014.

'Los Blancos' began the year with a match against PSG in Qatar and will see it out by facing Milan in the UAE. Far from protesting at all the travelling, the players have become aware that such journeys are necessary for the club's well-being - and their own. For instance, this friendly against the 'Rossoneri' alone will bring in enough money to pay a substantial chunk of Karim Benzema's wages for the year.

The trip to Dubai will be Real Madrid's fourth piece of business in the Gulf Region this year. It follows the above-mentioned PSG clash and the deals struck with the Abu Dhabi National Bank and the International Petroleum Investment Company (owned by the Abu Dhabi government) for sponsorship and stadium naming rights respectively. These agreements have already swelled the club's coffers by around 70m euros.
Real are also up for the Club of the Year prize at the Globe Soccer Awards, which will be handed out at the Dubai Football Gala on Monday 29th, the day before the blockbuster exhibition game against the 'Rossoneri'.

What's more ,Cristiano Ronaldo is in the running to capture the Best Player of the Year and MARCA Fan's Favourite Player gongs ahead of Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale and Raul. Indeed, MARCA is an official media partner of the event, which also features awards for the Best Agent of the Year, the Best Referee and a career achievement category, among others.