'The Chaaaaampions'. That's right – the most famous anthem in world football is set to ring out around Europe yet again as the 2025-26 Champions League season gets under way this week. Thirty-six teams are vying it out to lift the European Cup in Budapest on May 30, but can any of them take Paris Saint-Germain's crown away from them?
Luis Enrique's side certainly look like potential winners yet again, though they will face tough competition from a whole host of clubs. Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have both strengthened their squads, though their spending doesn't come close to matching that of the Premier League's top clubs, with Liverpool and Arsenal having splashed out huge amounts to bolster their chances of continental success.
Club World Cup winners Chelsea will also fancy their chances, as will Manchester City despite their struggles of the past 12 months. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich are back to being the dominant force in Germany, which could aide their chances of winning knockout games late in the competition, while Inter will be eyeing another trip to the final despite a summer of upheaval at San Siro.
But who come out on top? GOAL's writers have had their say on who they think will claim the trophy:
Getty Images Sport'Barca's frontline can rip apart Europe's best'
Joe Strange: Barcelona’s porous defence robbed us of potentially one of the all-time great Champions League finals last season, but it’ll be a different story this time around. Hansi Flick’s talented youngsters have another year of experience under their belts, while new goalkeeper Joan Garcia already looks like a smart addition. And even if Barca aren’t the strongest side defensively in the competition, their fearsome frontline has the ability to rip apart the very best Europe has to offer. Expect their long-awaited return to Camp Nou to provide a spark in the knockout stages, plenty of goals and talisman Lamine Yamal to lift the trophy in Budapest.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Madrid are the safest bet'
Richard Martin: Real Madrid are always are the safest bet in the Champions League. Los Blancos have won 21 percent of the total number of European Cups, and since the turn of the century they have lifted eight of a possible 26. But even leaving aside statistical probability and the fact that hoisting Europe’s biggest prize is in the club’s DNA, it is difficult to look past Madrid. Kylian Mbappe is still the best attacker in the world on his day, and if does not get you then Vinicius Jr will. Indeed, Madrid’s squad is so packed with talent that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde are not assured of starting berths. To boot, they now have one of the most astute managers around in Xabi Alonso, who is one of the most tactically proficient coaches around and someone who understands the needs of a modern dressing room.
Getty Images Sport'Barca could storm to the trophy'
James Westwood: Barcelona will go one better than last season and clinch their first European crown since 2015. Led by the sensational Lamine Yamal, Barca were by far the best attacking side in the competition in 2024-25 and extremely unfortunate not to at least make the final, ultimately undone by defensive lapses against an inferior Inter side. With youngster Roony Bardghji starting to bloom and Marcus Rashford having arrived on loan, Barca have even more firepower this time around, and will fear no one. The early signs this season suggest they will be more solid at the back, too, with new goalkeeper Joan Garcia already commanding his box far better than Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena. Hansi Flick's swashbuckling team could storm to the trophy at a canter if they avoid any serious injuries.
AFP'PSG the pick of six favourites'
Mark Doyle: I see six potential winners as it stands: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and PSG. However, for all Kylian Mbappe's brilliance, it's hard to see Xabi Alonso conquering Europe in his first season in charge of a still-unbalanced Madrid side. Barca have attackers capable of tearing any defence to shreds, but Hansi Flick's high line remains a serious cause for concern. As for Liverpool and Arsenal, they undeniably have the depth to go all the way, but the gruelling nature of the Premier League will probably still take too much out of the two best teams in England. That leaves Bayern and PSG, the only legitimate contenders capable of regularly rotating key players given the weakness of their respective leagues. Consequently, I’m picking PSG to retain their title, given Luis Enrique’s squad is stronger than that of Vincent Kompany.
