Ivan Rakitic backs Barcelona to shine in Hansi Flick’s Champions League campaign but warns of PSG threat

Barcelona have the quality and stability to challenge for the UEFA Champions League this season, according to former midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who believes this could be the year the club returns to the top of European football.

Barcelona begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign against Dutch side Feyenoord on Wednesday, in their opening match of the league phase.

Rakitic, who represented Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, has backed Hansi Flick’s side to go deep into the competition. He believes the club’s sporting project has developed greater stability under the German manager and is now ready to make the progress supporters have been waiting for.

“I think this will be Barcelona’s year,” Rakitic said in comments reported by Sport and Sky Sports.

The former Croatia international praised the quality of the current squad, highlighting its blend of youth and experience as well as the continued improvement of the team’s wider project.

He also expressed confidence in Flick’s work since the German took charge, saying the club appears to be moving in the right direction.

“It is clear that everything is going well with Hansi. Flick is a wonderful coach,” said Rakitic.

The Croatian believes Barcelona can recover their position among Europe’s leading clubs after a period in which they have been unable to match the success of the continent’s most dominant teams.

However, while identifying Barcelona as one of his main contenders, Rakitic warned that Paris Saint-Germain will remain a major threat. The French club are targeting a third consecutive Champions League title and, in his view, possess the ability to improve as the tournament progresses.

“Of course, you have to keep an eye on Paris Saint-Germain because they have huge potential, even if they have not been at their best in the opening matches of the season,” he said. “I am sure they will return to their best level as the competition progresses.”

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid among contenders

Rakitic also included Bayern Munich and Real Madrid among the teams he expects to feature in the latter stages of the competition. He added clubs from the English Premier League to a group of potential challengers for European football’s biggest prize.

“It is natural that Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will also be involved in the final rounds of the Champions League,” he said. “And you cannot forget the English clubs. It will certainly be a special edition of the Champions League, and the competition will be extremely strong.”

Rakitic knows what it takes to win the competition with Barcelona. He was part of the side that defeated Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 final and scored Barcelona’s second goal in that match.

His prediction comes as Barcelona prepare to begin their European campaign with renewed expectations surrounding Flick’s project. The club will open the league phase against Feyenoord, with Rakitic convinced that the squad’s balance, growing consistency and coaching structure can allow it to challenge for the trophy.