So Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo will not happen, but we do get PSG vs. Real Madrid. After errors were committed in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw on Monday, the European governing body voided the results of the original draw and conducted a re-draw three hours later.
First, Manchester United’s name was erroneously placed in the pot to be drawn against Villarreal. However, due to the fact that both teams played in the same group, this should not have been permitted. The rules state that teams from the same group and country cannot face each other in the Round of 16.
Lionel Messi is heading back at the Bernabeu ?#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/eu7CiC4ig1
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 13, 2021
Later, a reporter also noticed that Manchester United was not included as an option to be drawn against Atletico Madrid when it should have been. Liverpool, which played in the same group as Atletico Madrid, was mistakenly picked instead.
Round of 16 draw ✔️
Which tie are you most excited for?#UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/QvZoT0yxqi
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 13, 2021
UEFA chalked up the problems to “a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other.”
Below are the results of the second draw, which stands as the final one. Liverpool’s matchup got tougher, from RB Salzburg to Italian champs Inter Milan, while Real Madrid saw Benfica replaced by a tournament favorite in PSG. Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos will make his return to the Bernabeu, as will eternal rival Messi:
Match |  Home team – 1st leg |  | Home team – 2nd leg |
1 | RB Salzburg | vs | Bayern Munich |
2 | Sporting CP | vs | Manchester City |
3 | Benfica | vs | Ajax |
4 | Chelsea | vs | LOSC Lille |
5 | Atletico Madrid | vs | Manchester United |
6 | Villarreal | vs | Juventus |
7 | Inter Milan | vs | Liverpool |
8 | PSG | vs | Real Madrid |
 |  |  |  |
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Villarreal vs Manchester City
Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich
RB Salzburg vs Liverpool
Inter Milan vs Ajax
Sporting Lisbon vs Juventus
Chelsea vs LOSC Lille
Paris Saint Germain vs Manchester United