Barcelona midfielder Rodri has publicly played down his side's chances of winning the UEFA Champions League this season, insisting the La Liga champions still have significant ground to cover before they can be considered the tournament's top contenders. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the Spain international struck a tone of cautious ambition as Barcelona's European campaign gains momentum in the 2026-27 season.

Strong Start, Tempered Expectations

Hansi Flick's Barcelona have caught the eye with an eye-catching run of form, scoring 21 goals while conceding only four across their last five matches in all competitions. In the Champions League league phase, the Catalan giants currently sit third in the standings, trailing defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Despite the encouraging numbers, Rodri was measured in his assessment. 'The Champions League is possible, but I don't think we are the favourites,' he told Mundo Deportivo. He stressed that humility and honest self-evaluation are essential ingredients if Barcelona are to end their long wait for European glory.

Why Rodri Believes Barcelona Must Correct Several Things

Rodri, who joined Barcelona after his stint with Manchester City, elaborated on what he sees as the team's unfinished business. 'I clearly see it as a possible title, and it is, if you can put it that way, that remaining step for us to establish ourselves and show Europe the nature of the team we represent,' he said.

'From this standpoint I don't think we are the favourites, because we must understand where we came from and understand what it takes to be champions, and this team still needs to correct several things to become champions,' he added.

The midfielder's remarks carry particular weight given his own Champions League pedigree — he has experienced the highs of European triumph at club level and understands the fine margins that separate contenders from champions.

Barcelona's Difficult European History Since 2015

Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy in 2015, defeating Juventus 3-1 in the final in Berlin. The decade since has been defined by painful exits and near-misses. The club suffered a last-16 elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in 2020/21, followed by back-to-back group-stage exits in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

A return to form saw them reach the quarter-finals in 2023/24, only to fall again to PSG. In 2024/25, they advanced to the semi-finals before losing to Inter Milan in a seven-goal aggregate thriller. Most recently, their 2025/26 campaign ended in the quarter-finals as Atletico Madrid edged them out 3-2 on aggregate.

The Lessons of Knockout Football

Rodri drew on his wealth of experience to articulate what separates Champions League winners from the rest. 'Players like myself were bought for this purpose. I think the Champions League is not necessarily for the best team but a tournament of moments,' he said.

'In the Champions League, you have to control the moments in the knockouts. Red cards, penalties, conceding goals. These are the things that define whether you qualify or not. After all, before you win, you must lose, and you must learn,' he added.

His words serve as both a rallying call and a reminder of the difficult lessons Barcelona will need to internalise if they are to finally bridge the gap between European contenders and European champions this season.