Carragher unimpressed as Beckham makes 'surprise' Champions League prediction

David Beckham, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards have lodged their predictions for the new Champions League season, naming which team will lift the trophy and who  will claim the golden boot

David Beckham, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards have predicted which team will win in the Champions League this season. Paris Saint-Germain dominated Inter Milan in last season's final at the Allianz Arena, lifting the trophy for the first time in the club's history.

The Ligue 1 champions endured a rocky beginning to their 2024/25 campaign, falling to defeats against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City during the group phase. Luis Enrique's squad managed to secure their place in the knockout rounds through a two-legged play-off clash with Stade Brestois.

PSG found their rhythm as they advanced through the competition, building momentum with each passing round. The Parisians overcame Liverpool on penalties in the last 16 before battling past Aston Villa in the quarter-final stage.

Following a comfortable victory over Arsenal in the semi-finals, PSG netted five against Inter, recording the largest ever margin of victory in a Champions League final. During Monday evening's CBS Sports coverage, Carragher, Richards and Beckham offered their thoughts on the upcoming tournament.

Kate Scott challenged each pundit to make three predictions: the eventual winners, top goalscorer and dark horse contenders. The ex-Liverpool centre-back kicked things off by selecting Barcelona as his pick to claim the Champions League crown.

Carragher said: "I'm going to go for Barcelona. I was really impressed with them last season, and I think they'll go close again. Top scorer, I'll go with [Alexander] Isak for Liverpool.

"I think Liverpool will go close. That would be a great final: Barcelona versus Liverpool. And surprise, the six English teams in the Champions League: I don't think anyone had ever had six teams in the Champions League before."

He added: "I do think the Premier League is the best league in Europe right now. But I think some of them will find it tough. I'll be surprised if more than three qualify for the knockout stage."

Richards also backed the reigning Spanish champions to lift the Champions League trophy, though he fancied Kylian Mbappe to claim the golden boot. The former Manchester City defender said: "I also had Barcelona, so I'll keep it punchy.

"I think he explained it well. Kylian Mbappe has started the season well. Top scorer. And, I think Kylian Mbappe is going to win the Ballon d'Or. That is a surprise."

Carragher wasn't impressed with Richards' 'surprise' prediction. He said: "Why is that a surprise?" Richards replied: "Well, because everyone is writing him off!"

Carragher responded: "Why is the best player in the world winning the Ballon d'Or a surprise?"

Richards argued that Mbappe has been unfairly sidelined in the Ballon d'Or race, citing three of last season's top performers in the Champions League as the front-runners. He said: "You said Isak will be the top scorer, so why not Mbappe then?

"Everyone's talking about Lamine [Yamal] the dream now, aren't they? Everyone's talking about [Ousmane] Dembele. Everyone's talking about Raphinha. Everyone's put to the side, Mbappe, so it's a surprise. Ballon d'Or."

Carragher dismissed Richards' argument as 'absolute nonsense' before turning to Beckham. The Manchester United icon backed Real Madrid to clinch the competition for an unprecedented 16th time.

"I think PSG will go close again this year, but I'm going to go with Real Madrid," Beckham declared. "I love Lamine. I think the hype about him is real, and I think he's a hell of a talent, but I'm going to go the same as you, Kylian.

"I think Kylian, last season, he scored the goals that he scored. Of course, as a Real Madrid player, if you don't win much, then it's a bad season. Kylian had a great season. I really believe that this season is going to be his season in La Liga and the Champions League."

Beckham added: "My surprise would have to be people are already writing Newcastle off. I think Newcastle are a good team, and I think they've got some good players. They're very together as a team, and as fans, and as a club. I think that they could surprise a few people."