The 2020 UEFA Champions league has already begun and it is in the round sixteen already.

Some clubs have already played their first leg in the round sixteen, and the matches ended in unexpected results. Well, that’s football for you!

The defending champions, Liverpool lost the first leg to Athletico Madrid, 1-0.

Also, the fast-rising star Haaland put his side, Dortmund ahead of PSG with his brace, and the first leg match ended 2-1.

Despite these two teams losing their first leg matches in round sixteen, Lionel Messi still sees them as possible contenders to the title this year.

The Barcelona talisman while speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Mentioned four teams he sees as biggest rivals to the Camp Nou side this season.

According to Messi, Juventus, Liverpool, Paris Saint-German, and Real Madrid are the clubs that could hinder Barca from winning the cup.

Although Barcelona has not won the champions league since 2015, this year could be their year.

You will recall that in 2018, Roma had kicked them, (Barcelona) out of the quarterfinals.

Again in 2019, they were dumped by Liverpool in a shocking semifinal second leg loss; they had won 3-0 in the first leg, the rest became history.

In any case, Barcelona will travel next week to face Napoli in the first leg of their round 16 clash.

According to Messi, these teams he has mentioned are complicated.

He said, “All [the teams] are complicated and difficult. Paris went to play Dortmund and lost, Liverpool went to Atletico’s field and lost, but I think, like that and everything, Liverpool, Juventus, Paris and Madrid are the strongest today.”

Speaking about Manchester City’s ban, Messi said:

“It is surprising because nobody thought that such a thing could happen, so powerful.”

“Paris (Saint-Germain) paid a fine or I don’t know how it went. If in the end City does not play in the Champions League for what it is, with the players, the club, and the money it spends, it will be weird.” Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

The Argentine captain thinks that many players may or may not leave Manchester City as a result of the ban.

He said: “if City do (does) not enter the Champions League there are many players that may look for an exit, or maybe not.“

The Champions League is very attractive so two years without playing, it can be screwed.” He added.