Michael Ballack Names PSG and Barcelona as Champions League Favourites

Former Chelsea and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack has tipped Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as the two leading contenders for the UEFA Champions League title this season.

Ballack, who won numerous trophies in his playing career, believes both clubs have the quality and balance to go all the way, while surprisingly ruling out traditional heavyweights Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.

Speaking to Sport Bild (via GOAL), Ballack said:

“Of course, FC Barcelona. The team is strong. They have an outstanding difference-maker [Lamine Yamal] in their ranks and in Hansi Flick, a coach who’s a perfect fit.
You’ve to count Paris Saint-Germain, as defending champions, among the top favorites.
Bayern are not among the absolute top favourites for me, but rather a challenger. I also don’t count Manchester City and Real Madrid.”

Opinion: A Bold Call or a Sharp Reading of the Game?

Ballack’s picks are certainly bold. Leaving out Real Madrid and Manchester City — two sides that have dominated European football in recent years — will raise plenty of eyebrows. Madrid’s Champions League pedigree is unmatched, while Pep Guardiola’s City, even without last season’s treble magic, remain a force few want to face.

But perhaps Ballack sees what many are starting to notice. Barcelona, rejuvenated under Hansi Flick, are beginning to look like a team rediscovering their DNA. Add the brilliance of Lamine Yamal, and they suddenly feel like genuine contenders again.

Meanwhile, PSG’s triumph last season seems to have lifted a weight from their shoulders. With Ousmane Dembele in the form of his life and Luis Enrique giving them tactical steel, they look like a team that now believes they belong at Europe’s summit.

Still, dismissing Madrid and City feels like underestimating football’s two biggest juggernauts. In the Champions League, pedigree and mentality often matter as much as form — and both those clubs have it in abundance.

Ballack’s call is daring, but that’s the beauty of football. Could this be the year that Barcelona returns to glory and PSG cements their newfound status? Fans will be watching closely.