Spain starlet Lamine Yamal has made a bold claim about his title-winning prospects this season ahead of the European champions' clash with the Netherlands later this week.
Eight months ago, the Barcelona native made history as he spearheaded the attack which saw La Roja win their record-setting fourth UEFA European Championship in Germany. The teenage sensation broke a plethora of records during the continental showpiece, and since then he has continued his ascendance to being regarded as one of the best players in the world.
He has carried the momentum from the Euros into his club, and now Barca are in the running to win a third treble in their history. While he has already won LaLiga with the Blaugrana and a European Championship with his country, the one major trophy missing from his cabinet is the UEFA Champions League.
After defeating Benfica in the Round of 16, the Catalan giants will now come up against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals of European club football's biggest tournament. With Liverpool now eliminated from the competition, Yamal believes he and his teammates are the new favourites to win the competition.
"We are the favourites for the Champions League," the skilful winger told Sport.
"When the group stage ended, I said that Liverpool were the favourites because they were first [in the group stage], and now that they have been eliminated, it's us."
Before coming up against the German giants, however, the 2024 Kopa Trophy winner will return to national team action, where he and his Spanish teammates will face the Netherlands twice in the next week to see who will progress to the UEFA Nations League final.
Betting on the UEFA Nations League this weekend? Click below to bet on Spain vs Netherlands. Two of Europe's footballing powerhouses, Spain and the Netherlands, go head-to-head in a blockbuster UEFA Nations League quarter-final encounter on Sunday evening.
Open a TAB account now and bet on Soccer 10, Mega 10 Jackpot, Soccer 13, and more at tab4racing.com.
