The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League gets underway this week, and FC Barcelona will begin their journey in the competition on Thursday with a tricky fixture against Newcastle United.
The Blaugrana were one of the best teams on display in the Champions League last season and made it as far as the semi-finals, only to falter against Inter Milan in an extra-time defeat.
The players, the coach, and the management have all made it clear that winning the European trophy is the ultimate goal this season.
Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards back Barcelona to go all the way
And, former Liverpool defender turned pundit, Jamie Carragher, has tipped Barcelona as his pick to win the Champions League this season.
“My favourite for the Champions League is Barcelona. I was really impressed with their performances last season. I think they’ll go far again,” said Carragher, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 15: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona at BVB Stadion Dortmund on April 15, 2025 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Barcelona fell short at the semi-final stage in the UCL last season. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The Reds’ legend even predicted that he sees a Barcelona vs Liverpool final in Europe this term, pitting the reigning champions of Spain and England against each other in Budapest on 30 May, 2026.
“I think Liverpool will also make it to the final. It will be a fantastic final: Barcelona-Liverpool,” the Liverpool icon stated.
Carragher’s fellow pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards also echoed Carragher’s sentiments, saying: “I’m also choosing Barcelona.”
Previously, former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos had also named the Blaugrana as one of the frontrunners to win the competition.
Having come so close last time, only to be eliminated in the extra time of the second leg of the semi-final, Barcelona will aim to go all the way this time around.
But the Catalans must first navigate a tricky league phase, starting with a visit to St. James’ Park to take on Newcastle United, while the likes of Chelsea and PSG await in the near future.