With the Champions League quarter-finals officially decided on Wednesday night, the new European formats seems to have been a roaring success.
Already watching Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City fall by the wayside, there has been some monumental European stories from across the continent.
With it looking like the race for this season’s crown is firmly up for grabs, som of Europe’s most iconic clubs will be looking to write their own piece of Champions League history.
With all eyes falling on the final eight next month, we have taken a look who has been installed as the standout Champions League contenders in 2025.
Champions League 24/25 Outright Winner Odds
- Barcelona – 3/1 with 1xBet
- PSG – 10/3 with BetUS
- Real Madrid – 7/2 with Olympusbet
Barcelona
Ending last season 10 points adrift of arch-rivals Real Madrid and watching Xavi complete a messy divorce, Barcelona faced what was a hugely important summer behind the scenes.
While many might have been shocked following Hansi Flick’s arrival last year, Barca have embarked on a sensational rise under the guidance of the former Bayern Munich boss.
Continuing to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent, Flick’s camp are firing on all cylinders and remarkably have their sights set on completing a famous double-winning campaign.
Leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table, Barcelona have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success on the European stage.
Enjoying what has been a real free-scoring run since opening the New Year and with former Leeds star Raphinha notching 11 goals in his 10 Champions League appearances, Barcelona breezed their way to a top-eight finish.
Booking their quarter-final ticket thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win against Benfica, Flick’s camp suddenly find themselves regarded as a leading European contender this season.
BIG CHAMPIONS LEAGUE W! pic.twitter.com/95lwvy1SrO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 12, 2025
PSG
Remarkably notching just a single victory from any of their first five group stage appearances last year, PSG found themselves face the real possibility of not even booking a spot in the top 24.
However, getting the New Year underway with a dramatic comeback in the French capital as they collected an action-packed 4-2 victory against Manchester City, Luis Enrique’s side have certainly kicked into top gear.
Laying down what was a major knockout stage statement earlier in the week as they edged past Premier League giants Liverpool on a famous night at Anfield, the former Barcelona boss appears to have finally found the perfect formula in Paris.
Although PSG might have watched the record-breaking Kylian Mbappe leave on a free transfer last summer, Enrique’s side appear to be in a far better place since the French superstar left the Parc des Princes.
Getting their knockout stage adventure underway with a record-breaking 10-0 aggregate victory against domestic rivals Brest, PSG now have their sights fully focused on claiming a maiden Champions League crown in 2025.
The moment. pic.twitter.com/wySlU5fApo
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) March 12, 2025
Real Madrid
Edging past bitter local rivals Atletico on Wednesday night following what was an infamous penalty shootout at the Metropolitano, there is a reason why Real Madrid are regarded as the ultimate Champions League poster boys.
Making real history at Wembley last season as they secured a history-making 15th European crown, it sometimes feels that Carlo Ancelotti’s side have destiny on their side.
With Mbappe making an immediate impact after completing that astonishing move from PSG last summer and forming a superstar partnership with Brazilian talisman Vinicius Junior, Madrid have constantly proven why they should be not overlooked.
Getting their knockout stage campaign with a dominant 6-3 aggregate win against Manchester City, Los Blancos have made it abundantly clear that they are looking to shatter even more European records in Munich on May 31st.
With a heavyweight quarter-final showdown against Arsenal pencilled in for next month, Ancelotti’s camp are more than capable of overcoming any hurdle that is put in their path.
🫂 Familia 🫂 pic.twitter.com/txHqmGbjC3
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 13, 2025
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