Osimhen names Barcelona best team in world, snubs Arsenal and Man City

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Victor Osimhen has declared Barcelona the ‘best team in the world’, overlooking Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of his Galatasaray side’s Champions League trip to Catalonia.

Barcelona have made an emphatic start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning all eight of their La Liga matches and scoring 34 goals along the way. Hansi Flick’s side already hold a five point lead at the top of the Spanish table, with fierce rivals Real Madrid down in fourth under Jose Mourinho.

The Catalan giants also opened their Champions League campaign in style, thrashing Feyenoord 5-1, and will be aiming to extend that form when they host Galatasaray on Tuesday night. Osimhen’s side currently sit top of the Super Lig after eight games, but the Nigerian striker accepts that facing Barcelona represents a significant step up in quality.

Arsenal have frequently been described as the best team in the world over the past six months following their Premier League title win and run to the Champions League final last season. Kevin De Bruyne even handed Arsenal that label after his Napoli side were beaten by the Gunners earlier this season. Osimhen, though, sees things differently.

‘I know that Barcelona is one of the best teams in history… and the best in the world right now,’ Osimhen told Spanish outlet Sport.

Osimhen braced for a ‘difficult’ test

‘If you play against a team with players of such quality, you must play both with emotion and seriousness, and press in the attacking zones,’ Osimhen added. ‘The match against Barcelona will be difficult. But, to be honest, just like my teammates, I am also very excited about this encounter.’

‘We are ready; whatever the result of the match, we will face it with our heads held high. Playing against Barcelona at Rams Park will be spectacular.’

A squad strengthened in the summer

Barcelona added further depth to an already stacked squad over the summer, bringing in World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri from Manchester City, along with former Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. Rodri is widely regarded as the best midfielder in world football, while Gordon remains a regular for England.

Arsenal, by contrast, will continue to let their results do the talking as they push for silverware on multiple fronts this season. Mikel Arteta’s side have been installed among the favourites domestically and in Europe, but opinions on who truly holds the title of best team in the world remain split across the continent. Barcelona’s next assignment in Istanbul should offer another data point in that ongoing debate.