Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will reignite their rivalry when they clash in the Champions League Round of 16 in 2022.
Manchester United and Paris Saint-German were drawn in the knockout stage fixtures held on Monday 13th December at 11am GMT, from UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The mouthwatering clash between both sides will once again throw open the Messi-Ronaldo debate, coming after the Argentine won a record seventh Ballon d’Or award.
Recall that the rivalry between the two which dates back to their Clasico days was recently stirred up by the editor-in-chief of France Football, Pascal Ferre, before the 2021 Ballon d’Or which was handed out by the publication.
Ferre had claimed that “Ronaldo has only one ambition and that is to retire with more Ballon d’Or [awards] than Messi,” he told the New York Times. “I know because he has told me.”
However, the Red Devil denied the comments made by Ferre as Messi won the controversial award.
Elsewhere, Diego Simeone’s Atletico side will face German champions, Bayern Munich who relegated Barcelona to the Europa League in the last group game in December.
Defending champions Chelsea will face French side Lille while last season’s runner-up, Manchester City will face Spanish outfit, Villarreal.
See the full Champions League last-16 ties below:
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Benfica vs Real Madrid
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Villarreal vs Manchester City
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Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich
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Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool
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Inter vs Ajax
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Sporting CP vs Juventus
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Chelsea vs Lille
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PSG vs Manchester United
