It's not about the money, but the prestige. Champions League is plenty prestigious, but the World Cup/Euros/Copa America provide an extra stage, a national one at that.
Iceland, Croatia, Denmark are recent national teams that went much farther than expected, to much national acclaim ( the whole country celebrating their success). For many players that makes them national heros, and brings them pride and prestige. And there were a lot of players on those teams who were not superstars winning the Champions League regularly.
Iceland, Croatia, Denmark are recent national teams that went much farther than expected, to much national acclaim ( the whole country celebrating their success). For many players that makes them national heros, and brings them pride and prestige. And there were a lot of players on those teams who were not superstars winning the Champions League regularly.