With club competitions on pause due to the international break, national teams have taken the spotlight. However, the countdown to the final stretch of the Champions League has already begun, and only eight teams remain in the battle for Europe’s most prestigious trophy.

In this context, Thiago Alcántara has shared his prediction about who will be the champion of the 2025 edition. In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool player made it clear which team he sees as the biggest favorite.

Is Barcelona the team to beat in the Champions League?

Although he lifted the Champions League in 2020 with Bayern Munich, the Spanish midfielder believes that the Bavarians are not the top contenders for the title this year. For him, that role belongs to FC Barcelona.

"Barcelona is, without a doubt, one of the favorites to win the Champions League. The numbers prove it," he commented from Miami, where he is enjoying a holiday while attending the Premier Padel P1.

Indeed, the team managed by Hansi Flick has shown outstanding performance. Despite finishing second in their group behind Liverpool, the Catalans remain the only team still undefeated in the competition in 2025. Moreover, they have displayed impressive offensive capabilities, scoring 132 goals in 43 matches, making them the highest-scoring team in Europe.

A special connection with Barcelona

The former Spanish international is not only swayed by the numbers but also by his bond with the club. Trained in the Barcelona youth academy, Thiago Alcántara holds a special affection for Barcelona. Additionally, last summer, he had the opportunity to work with the team under Hansi Flick, although his stay lasted only a month before the start of La Liga.

With the return of the Champions League just around the corner, Thiago Alcántara's prediction does not go unnoticed. Will FC Barcelona solidify their favorite status and return to the top of European football?