Barcelona midfielder Pedri has unexpectedly highlighted Sporting Lisbon as a serious contender for this season’s Champions league title.The Spanish international lauded Sporting’s recent form and quality of play in an interview with Esquire, signaling a potential shift in the perceived balance of power in Europe’s premier club competition [[1]]. As the Champions League group stage nears its conclusion, Pedri’s assessment offers a fresh perspective on the tournament’s likely contenders.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri has identified a surprising contender in the race to win this season’s Champions League: Sporting Lisbon. In a recent interview with Esquire, the Spanish star named several top clubs he expects to challenge for the title, but also highlighted the Portuguese side’s impressive form.
Pedri pointed to the quality of Sporting’s play, noting their ability to compete with top teams like Bayern Munich – where they recently took the lead before falling 3-1. He specifically praised the team’s attacking prowess and the influence of manager Rui Borges. “The PSG, who are the current champions. The Arsenal also is a very strong team. And the Manchester City and the Real Madrid I always put among the candidates. A team that I consider strong, and that surprised me positively, is the Sporting, of my friend Trincão. They play good football,” Pedri said.
Pedri also acknowledged the strength of traditional European powerhouses like Manchester City and Real Madrid, both former Champions League winners. He also included Arsenal among the teams he expects to make a deep run in the competition. The Champions League group stage is heating up as teams battle for positioning ahead of the knockout rounds.
Despite leading LaLiga with a seven-game winning streak and remaining in contention in all competitions, Barcelona’s Champions League campaign hasn’t been as dominant. They currently have 10 points from six matches, the same total as Sporting. The Barcelona midfielder’s comments come as Sporting continues to impress in European competition, demonstrating their potential to make a significant impact this season.
