Fans to see Messi vs. Ronaldo duel as PSG pair with Man Utd in Champions League

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Football fans will see another Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) paired with Manchester United on Monday for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

The draw that former Zenit and Arsenal winger Andrei Arshavin attended was held in Switzerland's Nyon.

The Champions League last 16 phase will be played in February and March 2022 in a two-legged knockout format.

The PSG vs. Manchester United clash was one of the interesting pairings for both clubs' superstars, Messi and Ronaldo.

The rivalry between these two dates back to their days in Spain in previous years as Argentine forward Messi, 34, played for Barcelona, and 36-year-old Portuguese national Ronaldo was a Real Madrid regular at that time.

Messi and Ronaldo faced each other at least twice every season in the Spanish La Liga as the showdown between the Spanish bitter rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid is called "El Clasico" (The Classic).

Now Messi is playing for PSG after his move to the French club from his boyhood team Barcelona in 2021 summer.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo left Italy's Juventus to return to his old club Manchester United this year.

Ronaldo was a longtime Real Madrid member in 2009-2018.

Separately, the defending Champions League winners Chelsea from England will take on France's Lille in the last 16 stage.

The 2022 Champions League final was scheduled to be held on May 28 in Saint Petersburg's Gazprom Arena, which is the home stadium of Russian club Zenit.

This venue has hosted many 2018 FIFA World Cup matches.

- Last 16

Benfica (Portugal) - Real Madrid (Spain)

Villarreal (Spain) - Manchester City (England)

Atletico Madrid (Spain) - Bayern Munich (Germany)

Salzburg (Austria) - Liverpool (England)

Inter Milan (Italy) - Ajax (Netherlands)

Sporting (Portugal) - Juventus (Italy)

Chelsea (England) - Lille (France)

Paris Saint-Germain (France) - Manchester United (England)