Rio Ferdinand explains why he thinks PSG will finally break their UCL curse

• Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as serious contenders for this season's UEFA Champions League, with Rio Ferdinand tipping them as favourites 
• Former Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole also threw his weight behind PSG, praising their midfield dominance led by Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz.
• PSG’s next test comes against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, with the first leg set for April 9 at Parc des Princes

For over a decade, Paris Saint-Germain have chased UEFA Champions League success with nothing to show. But according to Rio Ferdinand, that elusive title might finally be within their grasp this season.

The former Manchester United defender tipped PSG as favourites to lift the European trophy following their dramatic triumph over Liverpool in the previous round. 

Speaking to the press recently, Ferdinand praised the French side's commanding performance, especially in the first leg, suggesting that for the first time, the club genuinely looked like they could beat any team in Europe,

“Before a ball was kicked, I’d have backed Real Madrid, but after watching PSG dismantle Liverpool, there was a big gap between the teams. They’ve got the quality and the chemistry now,” he admitted.

PSG secured a place in the quarter-finals by edging Liverpool on penalties in a two-legged thriller, a performance that has given them hope of continental success. 

Despite the departure of Kylian Mbappe, the Parisians have found rhythm under a reshaped system featuring Ousmane Dembele in arguably his most consistent form in years, alongside emerging stars like Desire Doue.

Joe Cole, who joined Ferdinand in the discussion, praised PSG's midfield trio; Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz, as the engine room behind their dominance, 

“They ran the show, that midfield completely outclassed Liverpool, and when you add the bench options and the front three, it’s hard not to back them,” said Cole.

There were doubts about Gianluigi Donnarumma's ability to deliver on the big stage, but both pundits agreed the Italian had already produced several clutch moments in the competition.

PSG now prepare to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals, with the first leg scheduled for April 9 at the Parc des Princes. 

Though Ferdinand has placed his chips on the Ligue 1 leaders, he acknowledged the tie wasn’t a foregone conclusion,

“If Villa can keep it tight in Paris, Villa Park’s atmosphere could be their twelfth man,” he concluded.

How Xavi stopped PSG from snatching Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal 2 years ago

Previously, TheRadar reported that FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal managed to slip through the cracks of a PSG mega-offer thanks to the timely intervention of Xavi Hernandez.

Notably, PSG’s interest in Lamine Yamal wasn’t a recent development; in fact, it began when Yamal was just 15. At the time, he was already making waves as a future talent from Barcelona's revered academy, La Masia.