L3rich Loses $1M Betting on PSG in 2025 Club World Cup Final

The esports and football communities are stunned: Valeriy “L3rich” Kharitonov, owner of the Aurora Gaming organization, has lost $1,000,000 after placing a bet on the 2025 Club World Cup (CWC) football final. The bet backed Paris Saint-Germain, but the French club fell short — Chelsea won the match 3–0.

L3rich revealed the loss on his Telegram channel, where he frequently shares sports predictions and commentary. According to him, a PSG victory would have earned him $1,795,000, yielding $795,000 in net profit. However, by the second half it became apparent the bet wouldn’t pay off: Chelsea dominated the game, with Cole Palmer scoring twice and João Pedro sealing the rout with a third goal.

This isn’t the first time Kharitonov has lost a significant sum on football betting. Earlier in 2025, he lost $700,000 on the Champions League final, once again involving PSG — but with a twist. That time, he bet against the French team in their match versus Inter, expecting a defeat. Instead, PSG stunned everyone by crushing the Italian side 5–0, a result that sparked a wave of criticism from followers and analysts alike.

Many are now asking: is this merely a hobby or part of a calculated public image strategy? Some speculate that L3rich is deliberately shaping the persona of a bold, high-risk entrepreneur who’s not afraid to go all-in. However, with a total loss of $1.7 million across two major finals, questions about the rationality and sustainability of such decisions are intensifying.

The public reaction has been mixed. Some admire L3rich's bravery and express sympathy, while others criticize his reckless financial behavior and the public promotion of gambling. Concerns have also been raised about the potential influence on younger fans, especially given his role as the owner of a well-known esports organization.

This million-dollar loss once again highlights broader issues around betting in sports and the responsibilities of public figures. Judging by recent events, L3rich may need to rethink his approach — or double down next time.

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