A crypto trader walked away with more than $2.12 million in profit after backing Atletico Madrid to defeat FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi final first leg, according to data from prediction platform Polymarket.
The trader, operating under the name PuzzleTricker, reportedly committed $3.23 million in USDC to shares predicting a Barcelona loss ahead of the February 12 clash. At the time, market sentiment heavily favoured Barcelona, with traders assigning them roughly a 65 percent probability of winning the first leg. Atletico’s emphatic 4 0 victory flipped those expectations and triggered a payout exceeding $5.35 million, delivering a 65 percent return on the original stake.
Market tracking accounts highlighted that PuzzleTricker purchased more than 53,000 shares tied to the outcome of a Barcelona defeat. The final whistle at the Metropolitano confirmed one of the platform’s largest recent football wins, adding over $2.12 million in net profit to the account.
This was not an isolated success. Trading history indicates the same account correctly backed Liverpool to win earlier in the week, generating a profit of over $278,000 from a stake of approximately $353,000. Additional successful positions included Ipswich Town and AZ Alkmaar, suggesting a strategy focused on high conviction, short term football markets. Overall profit figures on the account show cumulative gains nearing $2 million, with the Atletico result ranking as the standout return.
The surge in attention around sports prediction markets comes as major US leagues weigh closer engagement with such platforms. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred recently said the league is considering potential partnerships with companies including Polymarket and Kalshi. He indicated that collaboration could help ensure integrity safeguards and transparency distinct from traditional sports betting frameworks.
Other leagues have already moved. The NHL formalised agreements with prediction platforms last year, while TKO Group Holdings, parent company of the UFC, announced a similar partnership. Major League Soccer has also entered the space. The NBA has yet to sign a formal deal, though individual figures within the league have publicly acknowledged involvement with prediction market ventures.
Despite growing institutional interest, regulatory scrutiny remains active. A lawsuit filed in New York by a California resident alleges that Polymarket misled users about the legality of its services in certain jurisdictions. The plaintiff claims he was influenced by advertising suggesting lawful online access in California and has since stopped using the platform.
As football results continue to drive significant market swings, high profile trades like PuzzleTricker’s underscore the financial scale now attached to blockchain based prediction platforms and their expanding intersection with global sport.
