The Champions League knockout stages return this week - and Lionel Messi knows his Paris Saint-Germain side are considered the favourites.
They face a mouth-watering tie with Real Madrid in the last-16 with Messi looking to finally bring European glory to the French side.
But the ex-Barcelona man knows just how tough it is to win the world's most lucrative club competition.
Back in November, he admitted that his new club are amongst the favourites to lift the iconic trophy.
Yet he also named five clubs - Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid - as their main threats to go all the way.
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Speaking to Marca, Messi said: "Everyone says that we are the big favourites and I will not deny that we are one of the candidates by name, but we still need things to be a really strong team.
"We have to finish consolidating ourselves as a team and we have the advantage of having great players to achieve it.
"But we are not the only ones, there are other great teams that are candidates. The Champions League is a very difficult competition, that makes it so beautiful and special.
"The best teams are there and it's getting more and more complicated. Yes, we are one of the favourites, but not the only ones."
Pressed on which teams he saw as contenders, he added: "Today, Liverpool is doing very well, it has once again been the Liverpool that won the Champions League.
"Then there are City, Bayern, Madrid, Atlético.
"There are many teams that can fight for this Champions League, which is one of the most even and competitive in recent years because there are several teams that can opt to win it."
Meanwhile, Messi has been backed to deliver the good against Real Madrid by his manager, Mauricio Pochettino
Speaking ahead of the game, Pochettino said: “Leo is in good form, he has great desire, these are the nights that are important for his talent.
“It’s clear he’ll play an integral role in the match and in terms of what he transmits to his team-mates.”
