Real Madrid set to face PSG in last 16 of Champions League

Real Madrid versus Paris Saint-Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo versus Neymar. Historic achievement versus burning ambition.

Two-time defending Champions League soccer winner Madrid was drawn Monday to play the tournament’s standout team in the last 16, made possible because the 12-time champions finished second in their group while PSG won its group.

“They (PSG) are really very strong in every department of the field,” Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said. “But I have to underline, we are the holders and our players, they always rise to the occasion.”

PSG bought Neymar from Barcelona for a record €222 million ($261 million US) fee in the off-season with a specific aim of winning a first European title. Madrid won six European Cups before PSG was even formed in 1970.

“As I always say, we must be ready to play any team and we will be ready,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said in a statement on the club’s website.

Neymar scored in five straight wins as PSG finished ahead of Bayern Munich in its group, finishing with a competition record of 25 goals in the group stage.

Ronaldo scored in all six of Madrid’s matches to set another Champions League record. Barcelona, unbeaten even without Neymar was drawn to face Chelsea in a meeting of recent champions.