'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The last time Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League was in 2015 when the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Junior ran riot to deliver a historic treble at the Nou Camp.
Ever since then, the Catalans have been struggling in Europe, failing to reach the semifinals of the tournament for the past 3 years. To add to their woes, their eternal rivals Real Madrid have enjoyed a successful run in the Champions League, winning the last 3 consecutive editions of the competition.
This has been a major point of concern for Los Cules around the world as they anticipate the return of the European crown back into the Catalan capital. Having reinforced their squad with the likes of Malcolm, Arturo Vidal, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo this summer, it is evident that the Catalans are coming all out to regain their European dominance this season.
Therefore, lets take a look at 4 things that could inspire them to win the coveted Champions League trophy this term:
#4. Squad strength
By virtue of their incredible exploits in the transfer market this summer, Barcelona now has one of the strongest squads in Europe at the moment.
The Catalans bolstered their squad immensely with the addition of players like Malcolm, Clement Lenglet, Arturo Vidal and Arthur Melo - while also welcoming some of their own players who went on loan spells during the previous campaign.
Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele are also settling down at Camp Nou while Juan Miranda and Ruqui Puig have been called into the senior team from the youth system.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti all combine with other superstars to form a team that every club must be wary of in Europe.
With incredible talents in all areas of the pitch including the bench, nothing should stop Barcelona from winning the Champions League this season.
If Ernesto Valverde manages to perfectly utilize the amazing quality at his disposal, the European crown will surely land in the Catalan capital this term.
#3. Lionel Messi
To win the UEFA Champions League this season, Los Blaugrana will definitely need a source of great inspiration. And fortunately for the Catalans, they already have one in the Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi.
No matter what Barcelona's challenge is, Messi is the solution. The Argentine star inspired the LaLiga champions to claim their last four Champions League trophies and he will be there once again to lead them to another European glory this season.
Having opened his account with a brilliant brace against Alaves recently, the playmaker will be looking forward to taking his incredible form into the tournament this term.
On his day, he can take on opposing defenses all by himself, destroy them and inspire Barcelona to achieve important victories. With the attacker on the team, there is no doubt the Catalans have a big chance of winning the competition this time around.
#2. Determination
After missing out on the European prize for the past few years, it doesn't require critical thinking to realize which trophy Barcelona have prioritized for the campaign. Once again, the Catalans will come for a shot on the Champions League crown and they will do that with great determination.
Addressing the fans for the first time as Barcelona's captain, Lionel Messi was quick to express his desire to restore the club's European dominance and promised to do everything he could to return the prestigious honor to the Catalan Capital.
He was quoted saying at the Nou Camp:
"Regarding this year, I think we have set a platform to get excited, the signings that came will help us a lot to be better than we were. Although last year we won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, we all got stung in the Champions League. We promise that we will do everything possible so that this beautiful cup returns to the Camp Nou again."
This incredible determination could act as an unstoppable driving force that will lead La Blaugrana to claim their sixth UEFA Champions League glory this season.
#1. Real Madrid
Ever since Barcelona claimed their last Champions League trophy in 2015, their eternal rivals, Real Madrid have dominated the European tournament, winning the last 3 consecutive editions of the competition - something that hurts the Camp Nou faithful.
Los Blancos' success in the tournament over the past few years have provoked Barcelona and the La Liga champions will be coming all out to dethrone them this season. This could as well be made easy after the Galacticos lost their talismanic forward, Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus this summer.
Therefore, the desire to end Real Madrid's dominance on the European throne is another factor that could inspire the Catalans to claim the prestigious trophy this season.
