PSG still no match for Champions League favourites Real Madrid - Ballack

Michael Ballack does not think PSG's work in the transfer market will be enough to stop Real Madrid winning the Champions League again.

remain the favourites to win the despite 's heavy investment, according to Michael Ballack.

Zinedine Zidane's side became the first team to successfully win the competition in its modern guise in two successive seasons, while PSG's hopes were ended by a crushing 6-5 aggregate defeat to .

PSG 2/1 to win CL in next 3 years

In their ongoing quest for continental domination, the club signed Neymar for a world-record €222 million and brought Kylian Mbappe in on an initial loan deal from , moves that prompted UEFA to launch an investigation into a potential breach of the Financial Fair Play regulations.

But Ballack, a two-time runner-up in the Champions League with and , believes Madrid remain the best team on the continent.

"For me, Real Madrid are at the top of all things at the moment. The experience, the class, the recent success. It speaks for itself," said the German.

"Even PSG with all their signings are not on their level now. They have a top team and are able to win the Champions League, but other teams can succeed as well.

"On paper, Real Madrid are the main favourites in my opinion."



Zidane welcomed back more international players today as preparations for Saturday's match @LevanteUD continued at #RMCity! pic.twitter.com/O5F1N1VTuR — Real Madrid C.F.(@realmadriden) September 7, 2017

Ballack envisages his former club being among the contenders, praising Carlo Ancelotti's optimism as he looks to improve in his second year at the Allianz Arena.

"I can understand his optimism, because he is a coach of a top team which always has the chance to win the Champions League. If that always happens is another question, but he illustrates it," said Ballack.

"I think that's the right way as a coach. He has won a lot with different teams and knows exactly how to win the Champions League with all his experience. It's the right way to attack that goal offensively and positively, especially for his players.

"It's still a team with stars, although it seems the team is getting younger. Ancelotti showed in the past, that he can work with different teams and different players.

"He should attack, because he has the possibility to attack with Bayern. He can reach something big, to win Champions League with three different teams."