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The fact the Spanish giants were willing to pay Liverpool a reported £8m to secure the defender's early release so he could play in the tournament is testament to the staggering riches on offer.

The story she told time and time again to a grateful media brought her fame, riches, and even a peerage.

It has ended in glory, with the estimated £100m riches of the Champions League flooding into the coffers.

And yet one of them will celebrate glory - and a return to the riches of the Champions League next season.

Instead, they go into the final two Premier League matches - starting with Manchester United on Friday evening - with qualification into the riches of Europe's competition in jeopardy.