Robert Pires with former NBA basketballer Tony Parker in Paris (Image: PLAYSTATION)
Arsenal icon Robert Pires believes Barcelona are “the best team” in the Champions League and fancies them to win it for a sixth time in Munich in May.
All 18 matches will take place at the same tonight in the final round of the league phase, with Barcelona and pace-setters already guaranteed to finish first and second.
Barca conclude their campaign with the visit of seventh-placed Atalanta while face PSV having left several players behind in England for the trip to Eindhoven.
Hansi Flick’s Barca have suffered a stumble in La Liga to fall seven points behind Real Madrid. They have won just two of their last nine league games although secured an incredible 5-4 win away at Benfica last time out in Europe, having been 4-2 down with 12 minutes to go.
’s , by contrast, have only lost two matches across all competitions and are the only team with a perfect seven wins from seven games heading into tonight’s matches.
But former winger Pires, who played 82 times in the Champions League and scored 14 goals, reckons the La Liga heavyweights will be the ones to reign supreme in Germany on Saturday May 31.
He said: “For me, the best team in the tournament is Barcelona. I love their philosophy and the technique of the players.
“I love Robert Lewandowski. Then they have some amazing young players with great technique.
“Lamine Yamal is one of the best, but also Pedri and Gavi are like Xavi and Iniesta from my time.
“Barcelona always builds young players through La Masia and I always enjoy watching this type of football. For me, the favourite is Barcelona.”
Barcelona have been tipped to win the Champions League for the sixth time (Image: GETTY)
Rating his former club ’s chances of enjoying Champions League glory for the first time in their history, the Frenchman added: “Of course, I hope will do well.
“I think that they do have a good chance because their type of football may suit the Champions League. I always enjoy watching and talking about players with good technique.
“Because for me, that is the most important thing. Now, people in France want to always focus on athleticism and physicality, but football is about how you play with your feet.”
Pires was speaking at the PlayStation Crossover Concept Event in Paris, which saw players come together to take on amateur players and creators in a uniquely designed court inspired by the PS5 DualShare controller.