As the UEFA Champions League is entering its final stages with the quarterfinals set to begin on Wednesday, more drama will unfold in what has been an extraordinary tournament so far, full of surprises and excitement.
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hailed Erling Haaland as an 'unstoppable' force after the Norwegian grabbed a brace in Wednesday’s 5-0 Champions League win over Sparta Prague in the Champions League clash.
Phil Foden took less than three minutes to fire City ahead with his first attack, but it took until just before the hour for Haaland’s acrobatics to extend the lead further.
After Vinicius Junior's hat-trick inspired Real Madrid's stunning comeback 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League clash, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti called the Brazilian "an extraordinary character" and insisted he "will win the Ballon d'Or" based off his performances last season.
Lewandowski will return to familiar surroundings after recently moving to Camp Nou, as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who between them have won 11 Champions League titles, were drawn in a difficult Group C with Inter.
With his victory against the duo, the France international cemented his position as the favourite for this year's Ballon d'Or, which was presented following the Champions League group-stage draw in Istanbul on Thursday, according to DPA.
Last season's Champions League winners face Eintracht Frankfurt, who beat Glasgow Rangers on penalties to win last season's Europa League, with the Spanish side the clear favorites to lift the title.
The former Liverpool forward spoke about the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or as targets when presented to the public on Wednesday in the Allianz Arena.
Vinicius Junior scored the winner in the second half to fire Real to a record-extending 14th UEFA Champions League title as the Spanish giants defeated Liverpool 1-0 at the Stade de France early on Sunday (IST) to lift Europe's most prestigious club trophy.
