Former Netherlands international Ryan Babel knows a thing or two about competing at the highest level of European football.
The former Ajax and Liverpool winger enjoyed a career spanning nearly two decades, represented the Netherlands 69 times, played at two World Cups, and was part of the Dutch squad that reached the 2010 World Cup final. He also experienced Champions League football with several clubs before retiring in 2024.
Now, Babel has offered his thoughts on the European landscape heading into
the new season, and Bayern Munich is one of the teams he will be watching closely.
“I am curious to see how Bayern and Barcelona develop this season, and you should never count out Real Madrid. Regarding Man City, I’m not sure what to expect given all the changes they have undergone, but they still have a solid foundation,” Babel told SeatPick, the leading platform for Liverpool tickets.
From a Bayern Munich perspective, that is an interesting assessment. Vincent Kompany’s team enters the season with enormous expectations domestically, but the Champions League remains the competition that will ultimately define the campaign for many supporters.
Babel also believes there could be another surprise contender waiting to emerge, pointing back to Inter’s unexpected run to the final after entering the competition with plenty of doubts surrounding their chances.
“There is always an underdog team that could have a great season, for example, Inter reached the final, despite people doubting their chances at the start of the campaign. Once they found their form, shape, and momentum, they made it. I am sure this season there will be another surprise team, that’s the beauty of football,” said Babel.
And that may be the most important reminder.
The favorites will dominate the headlines, but the Champions League has a way of creating unexpected stories.
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