The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League gets underway this week, with Matchday 1 of the league phase kicking off today.
FC Barcelona will be in action tomorrow at the Spotify Camp Nou, when they take on Feyenoord in their opening fixture.
And former Barcelona midfielder and club icon Ivan Rakitic is firmly backing the Catalans to go all the way in the tournament this season.
The Croatian ace, who was one of Barça’s key players for several seasons, believes Hansi Flick’s side have a long-awaited step to take in Europe this season.
“I think this will be Barcelona’s year,” Rakitic said emphatically, as quoted by SPORT.
The former Barça midfielder highlighted the quality and youth within the current squad, while also praising the stability of a project that continues to develop.
“It seems clear that everything is going smoothly with Hansi. Flick is a great coach,” Rakitic added.
Will Flick’s Barcelona conquer Europe? (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
PSG remain a major threat
Rakitic knows exactly what it takes to win the Champions League, having lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2015 after beating Juventus 3-1 in the final, with the Croatian also getting on the scoresheet.
Despite making Barça his favourite, he believes PSG remain a serious threat as they look to win the competition for a third consecutive year.
“Of course, you have to keep a close eye on PSG. They have enormous potential, even if they haven’t been at their best in these opening matches of the season,” he said.
“I’m sure that as the competition progresses, the team will return to their best level.”
Bayern and Real Madrid also among the favourites
Rakitic also included two traditional European powerhouses among his contenders for the trophy.
“Normally, both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid should also be involved in the final stages,” he said.
“You can’t forget the Premier League teams either. It will undoubtedly be a special Champions League, and a very competitive one,” Rakitic further added.
Barça last won the UCL in 2015. (Photo by OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Rakitic, however, has made his choice clear. After several seasons of heartbreak and disappointment in Europe, he believes Barcelona finally have what it takes to lift the Champions League again.
Third time lucky for Flick?
The Blaugrana have not won the title in over a decade. They seemed close in Flick’s first season, only to fall at the semi-final hurdle against Inter Milan.
Last time out, they could not go past Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final, with questionable officiating letting them down.
This time, however, things seem to be in Barça’s favour. They have strengthened the squad very well, have made an excellent start to the season, and have what it takes to go the distance.