Football's finest light up the 'blue carpet'

The UEFA Champions League draw never disappoints: there's glitz, glamour, the crowning of Europe's best player and of course, the actual draw itself.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi lets his football do the talking again (AAP). Source: AAP

Players took to Twitter after Europe's 32 elite clubs learned their fate as the draw for the group stages of the world's biggest club football competition was announced in Monaco this morning (AEST).

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo arrived on the blue carpet with a heavy-set entourage making sure he didn't get too close to the sea of fans that had turned up to see him.
It's @Cristiano! But will he win the #UEFABestPlayer award? #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/J0XxfsPw7G — Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 27, 2015
Too bad for Ronaldo that security forgot about Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona star swepping the awards as he took home the UEFA Player of the Year and Goal of the Season gongs.
Meanwhile, Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan admitted his Valencia side got lucky with its draw.
Valencia keeper @MatyRyan gives his reaction to the #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/JsI2ZJT9p3 — Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 27, 2015
On the flipside, Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno said the draw doesn't matter to the spanish giant. Talk about confidence?
Likewise, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany appeared pleased with the draw, despite seemingly being placed into one of the tougher groups.

"Good games against great teams, happy with that. @SevillaFC @borussia @juventusfc #ChampionsLeague" - Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany seemed to be pleased with the draw.
City is in Group D alongside last season's runner up Juventus, Sevilla and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Will Kompany's assertiveness spur Manchester City onto greater heights in Europe this season?

We'll find out with the UCL kick-offs on Wednesday morning 16 September (AEST), LIVE on SBS.


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2 min read
Published 28 August 2015 4:33am
Updated 28 August 2015 12:19pm
By Patrick Nugent

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