Ranking the favorites to win 2024-25 Champions League: Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal make the list

With Real Madrid clinching the Champions League title on Saturday, the format as we know it is over, as the 2024-25 edition will have a 36-team league instead of the traditional group stage. While this will shake things up, teams playing two more group stage matches will lean even more towards the top teams who can rotate more than they already do. Looking at who could win the Champions League next season, while it would be great to suggest an unlikely winner, these are usually the teams that have an impressive run to the final, only to fall to a titan. In some cases, such as InternationalIt could be the start of building one of the best teams in the world, but in other cases this run is just a flash in the pan.

So who is likely to win the UCL next season? Here are the top five ranked candidates:

5. Inter

Despite operating on a smaller budget than some of their opponents, Simone Inzaghi has turned this team into a serious contender. Able to absorb defensive pressure and at the same time adjust the teams in attack, Inter is one of the strongest candidates for the Champions League title next season. The question boils down to Lautaro Martinez, however. For a team to win a European title, they need to be able to count on a striker to score when there is a lot at stake. In Serie A, it was Marinez who scored 24 goals, his third consecutive season scoring 20 or more goals, but in the Champions League he scored just two goals. Underperforming against expected goals in the competition as Martinez reaches his peak, reaching the next level of his career will be crucial to Inter’s success.

4. Liverpool

Even without Jurgen Klopp, as long as Mohammed Salah is still active, Liverpool will have a chance in this competition. Arnie Slot will have a full offseason to try and adjust the offense to his image while also possibly beefing up the defense. He will have to figure out what to do with Darwin Nunez, but when we look at this Liverpool team, it is well prepared for the future, even after moving on from the Klopp era. While it’s never easy to replace a club legend, Slot has been one of Europe’s most consistent managers in recent seasons, so he could look to keep things simple while still letting Liverpool press and attack as they do best. With depth at youth level, this is a team that is also boosted by the longer group stage.

3. Arsenal

Unlucky enough not to progress in the Champions League this year, Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world. The only problem is that arguably the best team in the world also plays them in the Premier League, at Manchester City. Bukayo Saka has proven that he is someone who can be trusted, and if Mikel Arteta can get a consistent striker over the summer, Arsenal are a team that can win the Champions League if things go their way. From defense to attack, most positions are where they need to be, but questions remain as to whether Gabriel Jesus/Kai Havertz at nine are enough.

two. City of Manchester

A machine under Pep Guardiola, it is still surprising that City have only won one Champions League title with him as manager. Meeting the eventual winners of this season’s competition, Real Madrid, it is understandable that City were unable to do so, but with Erling Haaland It is Kevin De Bruyne, if he is healthy, City will always be a candidate for every title there is. Defensively, things will need to improve to contain the world’s top attacks like Real Madrid, but when facing anyone else in the world, City should win.

1. Real Madrid

This is Real Madrid’s competition. With six UCL titles since 2013-14, betting against Real Madrid to win the Champions League is never smart, especially when Kylian Mbappe is likely to join a star-studded attack. If Carlo Ancelotti manages to balance Vinícius Junior and Mbappé in attack together, this team will be truly unstoppable even with Tony Kroos retiring. Being prepared for the coming years is how Madrid has kept things moving in the right direction, even with changes around the world and this will only continue to happen. Even with Endrick’s arrival, there will be more and more attackers and a strong midfield, but like City, defense is the biggest issue Los Blancos have – not that it matters if they score three goals a game.