Rio Ferdinand Skips Real Madrid and Man City, Names His Two Champions League Favourites

Former England star Rio Ferdinand has shared his top picks for the Champions League title this season, bypassing giants like Real Madrid and Manchester City. The ex-defender, now a consultant, is captivated by the performances of Liverpool and FC Barcelona, whom he believes have displayed extraordinary form in the competition so far.

Despite acknowledging Inter Milan’s impressive campaign, Ferdinand firmly places his bets on Barcelona and Liverpool as the teams most likely to lift the coveted trophy. He gave a slight edge to the Catalan side, praising their ability to excel in high-stakes games against powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid under the guidance of German coach Hansi Flick.

“Both clubs play spectacular football,” Ferdinand remarked, “but Barcelona’s recent exploits have been phenomenal. They’ve delivered performances worthy of a final against teams like Bayern and Madrid, proving their resilience and quality.”

Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot, also earned Ferdinand’s admiration for their attacking style and consistency throughout the group stages. While placing Bayern Munich as his third favourite, Ferdinand acknowledged their strong European run this season, rounding off his trio of top contenders.

This bold prediction from Ferdinand is sure to spark debate among fans, especially with teams like Real Madrid and Manchester City still in the mix for the trophy.