Ronaldo to face Messi again as Man Utd draw PSG in last 16

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will renew their old rivalry in the Champions League after Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain were paired together again in Monday’s draw for the last 16.

It is the standout tie to come out of the draw, with six-time former winners Bayern Munich to play Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in the most notable other match-up, while leading English contenders Manchester City, Liverpool and holders Chelsea were all handed opponents that they will expect to beat, AFP reports.

United and PSG will meet for the third time in four seasons with the French club at home in the first leg in February after coming second behind City in Group A.

That is despite signing the 34-year-old Ballon d’Or winner Messi from Barcelona in August, just before Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford for a second spell from Juventus.

Five of Messi’s six goals for PSG so far have come in the Champions League, while Ronaldo has 13 goals this season for United, with six in Europe.

Ronaldo will turn 37 in early February. He scored twice when Juventus beat Messi’s Barcelona 3-0 away in the group stage last season.

United famously beat PSG in the last 16 in 2018/19 at the start of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as manager, recovering from a 2-0 loss at home in the first leg to win the return 3-1 and advance on away goals thanks to a late Marcus Rashford penalty.

The clubs also met in the group stage last season, with the away side winning on each occasion.

Pep Guardiola’s City will play Villarreal, who beat United on penalties in last season’s Europa League final and qualified for the last 16 ahead of Atalanta.

Premier League champions and current leaders City lost last season’s final in Porto to Chelsea, who were the only English team not to win their group.