Lionel Messi believes Paris Saint-Germain have five serious rivals when it comes to winning this season's UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea, the current holders of the competition, are set to face French club Lille in the round of 16 next week, as Thomas Tuchel looks to retain the European crown.
However, Messi, who signed for PSG in the summer transfer window from Barcelona does not see the Blues as a serious threat to the French club when it comes to challenging for the famous European trophy.
Speaking to Spanish news outlet Marca, via the Mirror, Messi was pressed on which teams he saw as possible contenders for the trophy.
He said: "Today, Liverpool is doing very well, it has once again been the Liverpool that won the Champions League. Then there are [Manchester] City, Bayern [Munich], [Real] Madrid and Atletico [Madrid].
"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."
Can Chelsea retain the Champions League?
It's a difficult task to retain the Champions League. In fact, over the past 20 years, it has only been done on one occasion - by Real Madrid, who won it in three consecutive seasons from 2016 until 2018.
However, former Chelsea defender Geremi believes the Blues have got what it takes to once again lift the famous trophy in May.
Speaking to Express Sport earlier this month, Geremi said: "Yes, yes, this is what I wish and the squad that they have, it is a squad to compete and I think they are still there [at the top].
"I think they've secured a good draw because they play against French teams, so I think it is possible, and they have N'Golo Kante, who knows these French teams very well."
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Tuchel was asked in September last year whether his side could indeed retain their Champions League crown and admitted it would be tricky to achieve.
He said: "It will not change our approach. We came out of the shadows, nobody thought that we would be winners in the end. Believe it or not, there are so, so many teams that can win it. You need luck, momentum, a good group.
"There are so many teams out there with a good group, a strong club and good coaches.
"This competition is a very open competition and like you see in other sports, anything is possible if you believe, have momentum and have luck. We had this, we had a strong bond. We were surprised to win it, but not undeserved. This can happen to anybody."
