Guardiola Picks Champions League 24/25 Favorites

Kylian Mbappe’s Wednesday night hat-trick knocked Pep Guardiola’s team out of the Champions League, and he’s named Real Madrid as a potential winner. The four-time Premier League champions were overwhelmed by Erling Haaland’s benching, Mbappe’s world-beating form, and Guardiola’s disorganized campaign.

After a record 15th title last season, the defending champions proved that class is permanent and are one of Guardiola’s four contenders for the final in Munich on 31 May 2025. Guardiola, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2008/09 and 2010/11, rated Carlo Ancelotti’s well-drilled team as a favorite to win in Germany.

“Also, of course Madrid are a contender, definitely,” the 54-year-old, one of the best football managers ever, said after losing to one of Europe’s strongest teams in the play-offs.

Jude Bellingham and Co struggled to sign from the same hymn sheet in the new league phase this season, finishing 11th, one point behind the automatic progression spots (1st-8th).

Plus, Liverpool dominated the league phase, with table toppers and Barcelona close behind. PSG, however, are still seeking their first Champions League title, as their 10-0 aggregate win over Stade Brest shows.

However, other teams are performing well. Liverpool is doing well, Barcelona is great, and Paris Saint-Germain, under my pal Luis [Enrique], is on the rise. Naturally, Madrid are favorites.”