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.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the twilight years of their respective careers, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are widely considered to be the greatest attacking players on the planet. And the duo will have the chance to settle the argument as to who is the better player,

Real Madrid will play Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoffs round in a standout clash of the past two title winners after the draw was made Friday. Man City, the 2023 champion, will host the first leg on Feb.