Argentine striker Lionel Messi considers Paris Saint-Germain to be “one of the favorites” to win the Champions League, but “there is still a lack of things to be a really strong team”, according to an interview with the daily Marca.
“Everyone says we are the big favorites and I won’t deny that we are one of the candidates, but we still need things to be a really strong team,” Messi said in an interview published Tuesday by Madrid sports newspaper.
“We have to finish consolidating as a team and we have the advantage of having very good players to achieve this”, added the former Barcelona player, noting that “the Champions League is a very difficult competition, which makes it so beautiful and Special.”
“We are one of the favorites, but not the only ones”, insisted Messi, who sees the current edition of the continental tournament as “one of the most balanced and competitive in recent years because there are several teams that can reach the title.”
Messi considers Atlético and Real Madrid have chances in the European competition and recalls that “Barcelona is going through a phase of reconstruction with a team in which there are many young players”, although he also highlights the extra enthusiasm that Xavi Hernández manages to bring.
“Today I think there are better teams than Barcelona, but even if it’s apparent now, it doesn’t mean I won’t be able to fight later because we have to take into account the arrival of Xavi, renewed enthusiasm and the possibility of recovering some players.” , highlighted.
For Messi, Xavi “can contribute a lot” to Barça, as “he is a coach who knows a lot, knows the house perfectly and has lived at Barcelona since he was a child”.
“With him the team will grow a lot. I have no doubts”, concluded the Argentine.
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