Former Swedish international Henrik Larsson has declared that Barcelona are "the best team in the world".

Despite not winning La Liga or the Champions League last season, Larsson, who played for Barca from 2004-06, still believes that their brand of football singles them out as the team to beat.

"Right now they are the best team in the world," Larsson told Barca TV.

"I think they can challenge for everything again. They have such essential players like Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Lionel] Messi... It is a pleasure to watch Barcelona."

Larsson won La Liga twice and the 2006 Champions League during his time at the Nou Camp.