Van Bronckhorst backs Barcelona for Champions League glory and predicts Yamal Ballon d’Or

Giovanni van Bronckhorst described Barcelona as the best team in the world after his Feyenoord side were beaten 5-1 at Camp Nou, adding that Lamine Yamal could win the Ballon d’Or in the future.

The defeat marked Van Bronckhorst’s return to the home of his former club, where he played before taking charge of Feyenoord. Despite the heavy loss, the Dutch manager said Barcelona had shown why they could go on to win the Champions League.

“If you see how they play, Barcelona are currently the best team in the world,” Van Bronckhorst said at his post-match news conference.

Feyenoord did not adopt an entirely defensive approach in the match, according to their manager.

“We did not come here to defend or put the bus in front of the goal,” he said. “We had chances and tried to score.”

Van Bronckhorst acknowledged that his side had plenty to learn from the game, while also highlighting the difference between the two teams.

“There are many things we need to improve,” he added. “Mistakes are punished. We can learn a lot from the opponent, although we are two completely different teams. There is a difference in level.”

Asked whether Barcelona could win Europe’s leading club competition, Van Bronckhorst replied: “Barcelona can win the Champions League.”

The former Barcelona player said he had been focused on the match during his return to Camp Nou, but still found time to greet people he knew at the club.

“I was focused on the game,” he said. “There are people I know and I made sure to greet them. I have extremely fond memories of this club.”

Van Bronckhorst reserved particular praise for Yamal, who scored in the victory and helped take his total contribution for Barcelona to 101 goals in all official competitions. The teenager has scored 54 goals and provided 47 assists.

“At this age, he has already won everything,” Van Bronckhorst said. “The fans love him and he can win the Ballon d’Or. I see him like Messi and Ronaldinho, and he can win it. The question is when that will happen.”

Raphinha scored twice for Barcelona, while Yamal, Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus also found the net. Sem Steijn scored Feyenoord’s only goal.

The result gave Barcelona their first three points in the Champions League league phase.

However, Barcelona have now conceded at least once in each of their past 16 Champions League matches, their worst run in the competition’s history.

They have scored 22 goals in their first five official matches of this season, the first time they have reached that total since the 1959-60 campaign, when they scored 23.