Former Barcelona star backs club to win La Liga again: “Barça are better than Madrid”

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov has claimed that the Blaugrana are better than Real Madrid and that they are the absolute favourites to win La Liga next season too.

Stoichkov, who played for Barcelona between 1990 and 1995, making more than 200 appearances and scoring 108 goals, also had some kind words for Xavi, adding that the manager has learned from the bests like Johan Cruyff and Pep Guardiola.

“I think that Barça are better than Madrid. Based on the squads, Barça should be winning the league,” said the 57-year-old as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“Xavi is fantastic. It was not easy winning the league and he did it. People doubted him and his experience, but I never did. He’s a Barça boy. He learned from Pep and Cruyff. It’s in his DNA. Of course, this is what the club have to conserve,” he added. 

He particularly added that Xavi has continued the trend of putting faith in young players and it will reap rewards.

“I am very happy that the trend of putting young players that Koeman started continued,” he said. 

“I am always in favour of brave coaches and Koeman was, just like Johan and later Rijkaard, who had the courage to put youngsters, or Pep, who took Busquets as the undisputed starter because he had faith. 

“Barça’s DNA is to always bring out youngsters, one or two per year. Ronald knew that Gavi, Pedri, or Ansu were going to be great. And Xavi with [Alejandro] Balde also,” he added.

Stoichkov also went on to express that considering the reinforcements Barcelona have signed this summer – Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez, and soon Oriol Romeu – winning the league is now a must and the team should also go all out for the Champions League.

“Winning the league with the reinforcements is a must. And the European Cup, we’ll see. With this team, not getting past the Champions League group stage would be a blow,” he said.