Manchester United and Liverpool, English football's two most decorated clubs, were drawn together in the last 16 of the Europa League on Friday.
Ronaldo had won his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 while he was playing for Manchester United and still holds the record of the last Premier League player to claim the top prize. Messi won his first in 2009 and was nominated for 16 years.
Manchester City's Abu Dhabi-controlled owner has agreed to sell a $500 million stake to US private equity firm Silver Lake, making it the world's most valuable soccer group with a $4.8 billion price tag.
Liverpool surrendered a two-goal lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday after second-half substitute Jason Cummins struck twice to inject some much-needed late magic into the competition. Earlier, Harry Maguire's thunderbolt for Manchester United started a goal rush at Tranmere where the Reds scored five times before halftime. Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood also scored.
A young Arsenal side delighted a near capacity crowd at the Emirates Stadium with a scintillating 2-1 victory over Liverpool to secure a place in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland roared back to his best form with a five-goal salvo as Manchester City thumped Luton Town 6-2 at Kenilworth Road to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Darron Gibson fired holders Manchester United through to the last four of the English League Cup on Tuesday with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford that ended Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of a third successive final.
Ricardo Costa's goal gave Porto a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League first knockout round, first leg.
Holders Manchester United will face Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 16 of the English League Cup after the draw was made on Saturday.
Man City to face Spurs in League Cup
FA Cup holders Chelsea booked their place in the fifth round with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Championship (second division) side Preston North End on Saturday.
Manchester United, comprehensively outplayed by local rivals Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford recently, face an even tougher challenge when holders Bayern Munich come calling in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Manchester United earned comfort in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Europa League with a 2-0 win at Ajax on Thursday while their English rivals Manchester City fought back against holders Porto to also take control of their round of 32 tie.
The nine-times European champions finished second on goal difference in Group H of the Champions League behind Juventus, who were held 0-0 at home by BATE Borisov.
Man United were mistakenly drawn with Villarreal, even though both teams had already faced each other in the group stage.
Holders Manchester United will face 2004 winners Porto in the Champions League quarter-finals after Friday's draw at UEFA headquarters.
Monday's draw gave Arsenal the hardest possible obstacle in their bid to become the first club since Blackburn Rovers in 1886 to win the FA Cup three years in succession.
Arsenal are likely to use Cesc Fabregas in an advanced role to add more bite to their attack in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Champions Manchester United progressed with a goalless draw at Villarreal, which was also enough to send the Spaniards through from Group E in the Champions League.
Holders Manchester United were given a tough draw in the last 16 of the Champions League when they were paired with Italian champions and Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Friday. Another heavyweight game will feature Real Madrid and Liverpool, champions 14 times between them, while last year's runners-up Chelsea were paired with Juventus.
Images from the League Cup matches played on Tuesday
Barcelona snatched a place in the Champions League final in dramatic fashion on Wednesday when a last-gasp goal from Andres Iniesta earned a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and victory on away goals.
Favourites Barcelona recovered their poise to grab a valuable 1-1 draw at Olympique Lyon on Tuesday but holders Manchester United were frustrated on their Champions League return in a 0-0 draw at Inter Milan.
There is still plenty to be decided in the final round of group matches in the UEFA Champions League this week even though 13 of the 16 teams through to the knockout phase are already known. European Cup holders Manchester United and the likes of nine-times champions Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool have secured their places in the first knockout round.
Wayne Rooney scored two spectacular goals as holders Manchester United reached the FA Cup fifth round with a classy 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Group C leaders Barcelona should make it four wins from four matches against pointless Basel on Tuesday in the Champions League, while holders Manchester United can book their last 16 place with victory at Celtic.
Striker Robin van Persie has recovered from a groin strain and returns to Arsenal's squad for the Champions League semi-final second leg against holders Manchester United on Tuesday, manager Arsene Wenger said.
Arsene Wenger can be excused a little smugness as he prepares his Arsenal side for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to Villarreal as a bleak-looking season has suddenly burst into bloom. Last week's 1-1 draw in Spain makes Arsenal favourites to progress to a semi-final against either holders Manchester United or Porto while on Saturday they face Chelsea in the last four of the FA Cup at Wembley.
The Dutch striker scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup semi-final.
Chelsea completed a clean sweep for English teams in the Champions League group stage after beating Cluj 2-1 on Tuesday to join holders Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the last 16 of the competition.
Shakhtar Donetsk led the way for the Champions League underdogs as they beat holders Chelsea 2-1 while former European champions Barcelona and Manchester United came from behind to maintain perfect starts on Tuesday.
Holders Manchester United overcame the 29th-minute sending-off of teenaged Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in the third round of the League Cup on Wednesday.
Arsenal won the FA Cup for the 10th time on Saturday when they beat arch-rivals Manchester United 5-4 on penalties.
Holders Chelsea and Manchester United will replay their FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on April 1, the Football Association said in a statement on Wednesday. The match, on the Easter Monday holiday, will kick-off at 1700 IST.
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez scored twice against his former club Manchester United to give the home side a 2-1 victory in the first leg of an exciting League Cup semi-final at Eastlands on Tuesday.
