Germany football icon Lothar Matthäus has unveiled his predictions for the 2026/27 Champions League, naming five clubs he believes are the strongest contenders for the coveted trophy. As the new Champions League season is set to commence on Tuesday, Matthäus shared his insights in a column for Sky Germany.
Matthäus’s Top Five Contenders
Matthäus identified Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bayern Munich as his primary favourites for the 2026/27 Champions League title. These European powerhouses are expected to lead the charge in the continent’s premier club competition.
However, the former Bayern Munich star expressed some reservations regarding Real Madrid. He noted that the Spanish giants still need to develop as a cohesive unit, citing their recent 1-0 defeat to Real Betis as an example. Matthäus also speculated on potential issues with key players Kylian Mbappé or Vinicius, suggesting that manager Mourinho might need to make difficult squad decisions.
Other Strong Challengers
Beyond his top five, Matthäus also highlighted several other teams capable of making a deep run in the tournament. Manchester City, Liverpool, and Atlético Madrid were all mentioned as strong challengers who could potentially go all the way. Notably, Atlético Madrid could benefit from home advantage should they reach the Champions League final.
Borussia Dortmund also received a mention from Matthäus. Following a recent display of character against Hoffenheim, Dortmund is anticipated to progress further in the Champions League than in the previous season. However, their ultimate trajectory in the competition will, as always, be significantly influenced by the draw.