Alan Shearer believes Real Madrid are strong favourites to win the Champions League this season but has named one 'dark horse' that could beat them to the trophy.
Madrid sent a message to the rest of Europe with an emphatic two-legged Champions League win over Manchester City, establishing themselves as the smart bet to extend their record-breaking success at the pinnacle of club football.
Defending champions Madrid are the ultimate Champions League specialists and are targeting a record-extending 16th title this season.
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After their 6-3 aggregate defeat of Man City in the knock-out stage play-offs, former England captain and all-time Premier League top scorer Shearer anointed Madrid the clear favourites for yet another European title.
Shearer believes that their firepower - spearheaded by Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe - will be difficult to stop. But not impossible.
"Yeah, I would put them favourites," Shearer told Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast.
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"They know it’s their competition, they know how well they do and they excel in it and they have to win it.
"It must be a dream, a treat, for those guys with the amount of chances that they create and the amount of ability that they’ve got. So Real Madrid are very, very strong and they are, without doubt, my favourites to win."
Shearer was impressed by Mbappe and Madrid in their thumping triumph over City, but agreed with Lineker that there is one 'dark horse' with the ability to stand in the way of the holders.
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Paris Saint-Germain beat French rivals Brest 10-0 over the two legs of their play-off tie, putting them into the round of 16 and impressing both Shearer and Lineker.
"Over two legs I think they will give anyone a good game," Shearer added.
"They’re more of a team now than they have been. Whether they’re good enough this season to go and win it, I’m not sure but they’ll be a real test for anyone left in the competition."
The PSG hierarchy have long coveted the Champions League and Shearer believes they're in a better position than ever to satisfy that craving.
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But the French giants will have to get past Premier League leaders Liverpool in the last 16 after Friday's Champions League draw. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will take on local rivals Atletico Madrid over two legs, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
Topics: Alan Shearer, Champions League, Real Madrid, Gary Lineker
Chris Nee