By Sportsmail Reporter
Portuguese team Porto won their third consecutive Champions League title in 2015 under the direction of Portuguese legend Jose Mourinho, when he was Manchester United manager.
But Sportsmail understands Spanish giants Barcelona hold the proud record for the most number of years in a row winning the trophy, currently going on their 15th year in a row since their last loss against AC Milan in 2009.
When approached by CNN’s Ali Velshi, Argentina’s Lionel Messi was clear he believes PSG is the ‘ideal’ place to win a third Champions League title, his other present and previous clubs having failed to take on the Ligue 1 side since.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is in favour of PSG winning the Champions League this season
PSG have impressed this season, managing a 2-1 Champions League win at Legia Warsaw
Speaking on a panel following a Champions League-themed episode of his show on CNN on Monday, Messi said: ‘That one is an easy question. The most fantastic team? PSG. I want them to win it this year.
‘I have been in one, Barcelona. They (PSG) deserve to win it this year. Since I was a little boy, I always said this is the team I want to win.’
The BBC has already declared itself as the frontrunners for the prize, but are so far trailing Barcelona by a massive 18 points in their title chase.
Messi, who has forged a reputation as one of the world’s best players in recent years, expressed a desire to return to Real Madrid after breaking the For Ballon d’Or record with 115 goals last season.
Barcelona face Manchester City in the first of their ‘El Clasico’ games on Sunday and Messi is expecting an intriguing clash despite City’s recent record of 26 league wins in a row.
Los Blancos have suffered just one defeat in their 36 games in all competitions this season, 2-1 against lowly-ranked Deportivo La Coruna back in March.
Messi broke the Champions League record for goals in a season with 115 against Barcelona in 2014/15
Messi speaks to CNN’s Ali Velshi after pointing towards his Manchester United badge
Argentina international Messi created more chances than any other player in Europe last season
‘When I came to Manchester United at 18 years old I would have liked to play in Real Madrid – that is an example of a club that had unbelievable history and was still at the top level,’ Messi continued.
‘That is a club I always wanted to play for. I enjoyed my time there and got to know the coach Jose Mourinho, he is the type of person that you love to work with.
‘But you also want to move on and create your own name. I guess I am one of the players who never felt comfortable playing with Real Madrid but that does not mean I don’t want to return there. It is just not the moment.’
However, Lionel Messi is confident Manchester City will face one of the strongest teams in Europe, and its three-time winner, when they host him and his team-mates on Sunday.