Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has boldly claimed that the Catalan giants are now the favorites to win the Champions League following Liverpool's elimination from the competition.
"We shouldn't fear anyone," Yamal told Diario Sport when discussing Barcelona's Champions League prospects. The 17-year-old winger, who has been instrumental in Barcelona's impressive form this season, previously considered Liverpool the top contenders after they finished ahead of Barcelona in the revamped league phase.
"I said that Liverpool were the favourites because they finished first in the league phase and then came us. I don't fear any team," Yamal explained. "We are the side that does the most damage to Madrid, and vice versa."
Barcelona secured their place in the quarterfinals by defeating Benfica and now face Borussia Dortmund in the next round. Should they advance, a potential semifinal clash with Bayern Munich or Inter Milan awaits, with the possibility of meeting Real Madrid, Arsenal, PSG, or Aston Villa in the final.
Yamal's confidence stems from Barcelona's remarkable 18-game unbeaten streak in 2025, which has featured several dramatic comebacks. Under Hansi Flick's guidance, the team has shown tremendous resilience, notably overturning a 4-2 deficit to beat Benfica 5-4 in January and scoring four goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat Atlético Madrid 4-2 in LaLiga last Sunday.
"The feeling I have is that I am part of a winning team," Yamal added. "Last year against Atlético, a game like Sunday, we don't turn that around. The same goes for that match against Benfica. We have the feeling that we are winners and we want more and more."
Barcelona's recent victory against Atlético has propelled them to the top of LaLiga, level on points with Real Madrid but with a game in hand. They remain alive in the Copa del Rey as well, with their semifinal against Atlético delicately poised at 4-4 after the first leg.
Forward Ferran Torres, who came off the bench to score twice in the comeback against Atlético, revealed the squad's ambitions extend to claiming a treble, a feat Barcelona previously achieved in 2009 and 2015.
"We're dreamers and we think we're capable [of a treble]," Torres told Mundo Deportivo. "We're still alive in all three competitions and until we either win it or are knocked out, we're going to believe it's possible."
Torres emphasized how the victory over Atlético has strengthened the team's belief: "The win over Atlético is one of those games that helps form a team. It breeds that winning culture and we believe in ourselves. I think it was a statement win which said that however a game is going, we have enough character to turn it around."
As Barcelona continues their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts, Yamal's mentality perhaps best captures the team's current approach: "If you think you're not favourites, you're already starting to lose. Don't think teams can beat you. Think that you're the best team, play the best football and have the best chance of winning."
