It will be Real Madrid vs. Manchester City yet again in the Champions League — but never as early as this, and for the first time with a Kylian Mbappé vs. Erling Haaland matchup. Two heavyweights who struggled in the new eight-game league phase were the standout pairing Friday in the draw for the new knockout playoffs round.

The draw sets up the fifth two-legged tie between City and Real in the last six seasons. Last year Madrid ended City’s hopes of retaining the Champions League as they won in a penalty shoot-out at the Etihad in the quarter-finals.

Defending champions Real Madrid will play 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster Champions League knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains arguably the greatest player in Real Madrid's history. He joined the club in 2009 and won 17 trophies, including four UEFA Champions L

Real Madrid have suffered several ACL ruptures over the last 18 months, and they currently have two players unavailable because of these injuries: Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao. The latter is

Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that he could make a sensational return to Real Madrid at the end of his career. Ronaldo has admitted that the Santiago Bernabéu was his “happiest place.” The Portugal captain joined Los Blancos from Manchester United in 2009 and went on to write his name in the club’s history books.