Barcelona favourites because of ‘best player in the world’ Messi – Dragan Stojkovic

Posted Friday, June 05, 2015 by Goal.com

EXCLUSIVE: The Yugoslavia great and Italia ’90 hero is in awe at the brilliance of the Argentine star but believes Juventus can’t be written off on Saturday

Red Star Belgrade legend Dragan Stojkovic says that Barcelona are favourites to beat Juventus in Saturday’s Champions League final thanks to the presence of Lionel Messi.

Stojkovic was one of Europe’s most admired playmakers during the late 1980s and early 90s, enjoying some titanic tussles with Red Star against Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan in the European Cup.

The former No.10 agrees with the majority of experts that Barcelona will be hard to beat in Berlin.

"I always expected to see Barcelona reach the final – even back in the autumn when they were receiving a lot of criticism from fans and the media. They are always contenders,” Stojkovic told Goal.

“But I was pleasantly surprised by Juventus and I’m sure I’m not the only one who didn't expect them to go so far in the competition. Especially after they were drawn against the mighty Real Madrid in the semis. But, they deserve to be a part of the spectacle in Berlin after what they showed in 180 minutes versus Real.

"Barcelona are the favourites because they have the best player in the world. I've had the pleasure to watch Messi several times from the stands and enjoy his magical play, it is surreal what that man can do with the ball.

“They have top goalscorers like Neymar and Luis Suarez next to him and also a very strong midfield that can assist those three forwards, as well as score themselves. And their defence is no weaker than the rest of the team, either, as they conceded the fewest goals in La Liga.”

Stojkovic truly burst onto the scene at the 1990 World Cup in Italy where he was one of the players of the tournament for Yugoslavia, scoring two brilliant goals to knock out Spain in the second round.

The 50-year-old, who reached the European Cup final with Marseille the following year and famously refused to take a penalty in the shootout defeat against his beloved Red Star, does believe though that Juventus can’t be written off.

"Juventus have a chance,” he said.

“They are a very experienced team that can play to get a result. They are aware of their strengths after winning Serie A and I am impressed by their compact defence.

“They will defend in the final - that is logical and justified because Barca will use the tiniest crack in your defence to score.

“I don't care who wins, I just admire the way Barca play and Messi. I can't wait to take my place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin!”