Will Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League this season?

Former Manchester United and Manchester City forward Andrei Kanchelskis named Real Madrid as the main favorite to win the UEFA Champions League, citing the club’s historical dominance and consistency in knockout tournaments. According to Kanchelskis, Real Madrid remains a perennial contender regardless of form, squad changes, or draw, reinforcing its reputation as the competition’s most successful team. In the round of 16, Real Madrid is set to face Benfica, while Manchester City advanced directly to the round of 16 after finishing in the top eight of the group stage. Despite Real Madrid’s pedigree, the knockout phase introduces significant uncertainty. Defending champions, tactical matchups, injuries, and fixture congestion could all influence the outcome, particularly against elite opponents such as Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. The key question is whether Real Madrid’s Champions League experience and depth will once again prevail—or whether another European powerhouse will interrupt their dominance this season.