Speaking to FFT as part of BT Sport's Club 2020 campaign, the iconic midfielder talked of the side he spent a season on loan with
(Image credit: PA)
Former Barcelona and Spain star Gaizka Mendieta says that his former club do still have a chance in the Champions League - but that no one knows which Barça is going to turn up right now.
Mendieta went on loan to Barcelona for the 2002/03 season from Lazio, where he was knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by Juventus. Previously, the midfielder was a member of the Valencia side which reached two consecutive Champions League finals and lost them both in the early 2000s.
Speaking to FourFourTwo as part of BT Sport's Club 2020 campaign, celebrating return to Champions League football - complete with a European-themed ice cream van all branded up and selling ice lollies - Mendieta claimed that despite the issues that the Catalan giants have had this season, no one can write them off.
BT Sport's Club 2020 ice cream van, to mark the return of European football on the channel (Image credit: BT Sport)
"I do think they have a chance, definitely," Mendieta told FFT. "Something that I don’t like [though], something that is a concern is that they are very unpredictable. Scoring goals has been an issue this season - but again, look at the team, look at the players, they always have a chance to win it."
"The only question mark is how they’re going to perform in the game - which Barca is going to turn up? The one that isn’t great defensively and struggles to score goals? Or the one that plays well and finds an edge easily?"
"I hope it’s the second but they’re very unreliable. I think they have a chance though."
Barcelona are sweating on the No.10 signing another deal at Camp Nou, amidst reports of unhappiness in the camp. Mendieta has in the past confessed to being a huge fan of the star, even stating that he prefers him over Cristiano Ronaldo, in the age-old debate of the two legends.
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When asked if he was worried about Messi leaving La Liga, Mendieta replied, "Well yeah, of course. That is one option that I’m not sure of."
"Not just as a Barca fan but a La Liga fan, a football fan… it’s one of the greatest stories in history, a player like him that has spent his whole career at one club. That’s something that you don’t get to see very often," he continued.
"We’ll have to wait to and see what happens - I’m not sure what will happen but we will have to see after the Champions League."
Barcelona face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals this Friday.
Watch every UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Game exclusively live on BT Sport. Sign up contract free with a BT Sport Monthly Pass for just £25 per month. For more info visit bt.com/sport.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
