4 legends pick their favourites for the Champions League title this season

#4 Lionel Messi

Tottenham Hotspur v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Group B

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has also given his verdict on the team he thinks will win the UEFA Champions League.

The Argentine refused to name his own side Barcelona as favourites but instead picked his longstanding rival Cristiano Ronaldo's new club Juventus as the team that could win the competition.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio (via Sky Sports), Messi said, "Obviously they (Madrid) are one of the best teams in the world, they have great players and squad, but yes the departure of Cristiano from the squad makes them less strong."

"It makes Juventus a clear favourite to win the Champions League due to the squad they had before and now with him on top.

"I was surprised by his decision, I did not think he would go from Madrid nor that he would go to Juventus. There were so many teams and I heard less about Juve but it is a very good team."

Speaking of Barcelona's UCL chances, the Argetine said, "It is necessary because we have had three years where we have gone out in the quarter-finals and the last was the worst of the lot due to how it happened," said Messi."

"We are concentrating on this because it is possible, we have a squad where we can fight for this competition."

"In other years the Champions League evaded us, in the Guardiola era with Inter and Chelsea, due to small details."

"Each year the competition is more even with clubs investing more money to compete and bring in players. The two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Madrid, us, PSG and several Italian clubs."