"Best team in the world? Real Madrid" - Barcelona target makes honest admission about Los Blancos

Barcelona target Martin Zubimendi has explained why Real Madrid are the best team in the world. The Spanish midfielder alluded to Los Blancos' UEFA Champions League triumph.

Zubimendi feels Carlo Ancelotti's men have proven they are best by winning a record 15th European title. He said (via Madrid Zone):

"Best team in the world? Real Madrid. Winning the Champions League determines who is the best, and Real Madrid has proven that it is the best."

Real Madrid won the Champions League by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley in the final. This capped off a memorable 2023-24 campaign in which they also won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana. Ancelotti's men beat Manchester City and Bayern Munich en route to European glory.

Barcelona were cast aside by a ruthless Madrid side who dethroned them as La Liga champions. They finished 10 points behind their rivals and lost home (2-1) and away (3-2) in El Clasico.

Zubimendi, 25, has been linked with a move to Barca to help them try and get back on top in Spanish football. The defensive midfielder has excelled at Real Sociedad and is appearing for Spain at Euro 2024. He made 45 appearances across competitions at Reale Arena last season with four goals and one assist.

The Catalans have work to do to try and reclaim their throne from Madrid. Kylian Mbappe has become the latest blockbuster arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Martin Zubimendi snubbed Barcelona stars and named Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham as La Liga's best player

Jude Bellingham celebrates winning the Champions League in his debut season.

Zubimendi gave a glowing verdict of Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham during last season amid a remarkable start in La Liga. The English youngster arrived from Borussia Dortmund last summer in a €103 million deal. He said (via Tribuna):

"For me, [the best player in La Liga] is Jude Bellingham, due to the impact he has had with Real Madrid, who are close to winning the title."

Bellingham, 20, flourished with 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games across competitions. The attacking midfielder finished joint-third with Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in the La Liga Golden Boot race with 19 goals in 28 games.

Zubimendi didn't feel Lewandowski was one of La Liga's best performers last season. He suggested Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann was the other standout star:

"There are several other players who have stood out this season, like Antoine Griezmann at Atletico, for example."

Barcelona struggled to impress after winning the La Liga title in the 2022-23 campaign. They welcomed young talent into their team, such as Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, but none could replicate Bellingham's exploits.