Real Madrid legend claimed that Barcelona will win the Champions League trophy this season.
Rafael van der Vaart, a former Real Madrid great, predicts that Barcelona will win the UEFA Champions League this season before of the Catalans’ second matchup versus Bayern Munich in Group C.
The last time Barcelona competed in the Champions League, they had a miserable time and were eliminated in the group stages after finishing behind Bayern Munich and SL Benfica.
The Blaugrana were once again placed in a difficult group with Viktoria Plzen, Inter Milan, and the Bavarians. However, Xavi Hernandez’s team has had a fantastic start to the year and is in great shape going into the matchup with Bayern Munich.
In addition, Rafael van der Vaart, who played for Real Madrid for two seasons between 2008 and 2010, stated that he thinks Barcelona are the favorites to win the Champions League this year.
“The Champions League will be won by Barcelona. It’s just how I feel. The former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder claimed on Ziggo Sport that it was really based on nothing.
Given that Los Blancos are the current European champions and have had an undefeated start to the new season, it is undoubtedly noteworthy coming from a former Real Madrid player.
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Additionally, van der Vaart has recently been highly critical of Barcelona. The former Netherlands international had criticized club president Joan Laporta for the way Frenkie de Jong was treated, likening the organization to the mafia.
“I think it’s shameful. And Laporta, who is constantly grinning and has a large head. He considers himself to be the king. However, I believe he is quite stupid,” he had stated.
“This is not how you should treat people. De Jong makes a lot of money? When you sign a contract, you either fulfill your obligations under the agreement or depart amicably. They must be punished because this is mafia, added van der Vaart.
Although in the past he may have been critical of Barcelona, van der Vaart now thinks they have what it takes to win the Champions League this year.
