Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos calculations Barcelona's finish in La Liga this season.

Despite a series of injuries and challenges in the transfer market, FC Barcelona has had an impressive start to the 2024/25 La Liga season, winning all three of their opening matches, including a recent victory over Rayo Vallecano. This strong beginning has sparked optimism among Barcelona fans, even though concerns about injuries and limited transfer activity persist.

Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, however, has offered a cautionary perspective on Barcelona's prospects for the season. On his podcast, as reported by Diario AS, Kroos suggested that Barcelona might struggle to maintain their early form and is likely to finish in third place, behind both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. “Atletico Madrid will surpass Barcelona for the second-place spot,” Kroos predicted.

Kroos, who retired from professional football after Euro 2024 this summer, has deep ties to Real Madrid, having spent a significant part of his career at the Santiago Bernabeu. During his tenure, he played in 465 competitive matches and won five Champions League titles, which undoubtedly influences his views on Barcelona’s potential.

In addition to forecasting a third-place finish for Barcelona, Kroos is confident that Real Madrid will secure the league title this season. “Real Madrid will win the league, I am certain of that,” he asserted. While Kroos’ comments might be seen as biased due to his strong association with Real Madrid, they highlight the pressure on Barcelona to sustain their current level of performance.

Barcelona will need to maintain their consistency and overcome their injury issues if they hope to challenge for the league title this season. Kroos’ predictions, while possibly influenced by his background, underscore the competitive nature of La Liga and the high standards that Barcelona must meet to reclaim the top spot by the end of the season.