Champions League draw LIVE: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd & more discover group stage fate

The Croatian&nbsp;has been named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2017-18, seeing off competition from&nbsp;Cristiano Ronaldo&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mohamed Salah! Modric had an impressive year, playing an instrumental part in Real Madrid's Champions League win over Liverpool and guiding Croatia to the finals of the World Cup in Russia. You can read the full story <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/modric-beats-ronaldo-salah-to-win-uefa-player-of-the-year/101cqcgg9r80q1e8zig91x3a86" target="_blank">here</a>.

Modric wins UEFA Player of the Year

Modric beats Ronaldo and Salah to Player of the Year award!

Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham, PSV, Inter Group C: PSG, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys

Complete Champions League 2018-19 Group Stage

Forgotten how seeding works in the Champions League? Don't worry. It's what we're here for. Here are the <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/champions-league-2018-19-explained-how-uefas-changes-impact/1m5pkx9eax9021wegmgutisiti" target="_blank">seeding arrangements</a> for each of the participating teams: Pot 1:&nbsp;Real Madrid,&nbsp;Atletico&nbsp;Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man City, Juventus, Paris St Germain, Lokomotiv Moscow Pot 2:&nbsp;Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Man United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Benfica, Napoli, Tottenham, Roma Pot 3:&nbsp;Liverpool, Schalke, Lyon, Monaco, Ajax, CSKA Moscow, &nbsp;PSV Eindhoven, Valencia Pot 4:&nbsp;Viktoria Plzen, Brugge, Galatasaray, Young Boys, Inter Milan, Hoffenheim,&nbsp;Red Star Belgrade, AEK Athens There are four pots of eight teams, and one team from each pot will form a group to create eight in total –&nbsp;and teams from the same association are not allowed&nbsp;face each other.

Champions League Pot Seedings

Thanks for staying with us through the live blog of the group stage draw! We're signing off. If you needed a quick refresher of all the draws that were made today, here's where we're at... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Come on then, pick your 2018-19 Champions League winner! 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/yhKBin5rbu">pic.twitter.com/yhKBin5rbu</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1035219900116213760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's a wrap on the live blog!

The North London side have been handed the ultimate group of death draw, facing the likes of Barcelona, Inter and PSV – but it's nothing for star striker Kane to worry about! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 🗨️ <a href="https://twitter.com/HKane?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HKane</a> can't wait! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> ⚽️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COYS</a> <a href="https://t.co/5gWkVKDGUL">pic.twitter.com/5gWkVKDGUL</a> — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1035221694284279813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Harry Kane excited for Champions League action

It won't be an easy journey for the yellow army, who have been placed in a group with Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Brugge. Here's what they had to say... Hans-Joachim Watzke (CEO Borussia Dortmund at Sky): "It's an ambitious group, we've crossed the blade with Monaco just a year ago. We're looking forward to seeing Brugge being an ambitious squad –&nbsp;Atletico is a top team, but it's something new." Dortmund coach Lucien Favre: "It's a&nbsp;tough fight with strong opponents, first and foremost Atletico, who have a very experienced and well-organized team.&nbsp;Followed by Monaco, who eliminated Manchester City two years ago and failed in the semi-finals.&nbsp;Brugge shows just&nbsp;how strong Belgian football is – as their national team had proved&nbsp;at the World Cup. "We accept the challenge."

Reactions from the Dortmund team!

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 🌟 UEFA Men's Player of the Year 17/18 🌟 🥇 Congratulations, Luka Modrić! 🎉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/6xSHck2v7d">pic.twitter.com/6xSHck2v7d</a> — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035215502921146369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Modric wins UEFA Player of the Year!

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> For his courageous support of equality 🏳️‍🌈 Guram Kashia will today receive the first ever <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EqualGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EqualGame</a> award 🏅🇬🇪 👏 This is his story... 📲&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/ABDcLO70Ly">https://t.co/ABDcLO70Ly</a> <a href="https://t.co/ya98yTiVss">pic.twitter.com/ya98yTiVss</a> — UEFA (@UEFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UEFA/status/1035152839960678400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Guram Kashia scoops a major honour! 🏳️‍🌈

The group stage of the Champions League have been drawn, and one of the major talking points is <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/man-utd-drawn-with-juventus-in-champions-league-group-stage/1fdhqtunr0li11r803hmtu7vw8" target="_blank">Ronaldo's comeback to an old stomping ground</a> of his! Juventus have been drawn to face Manchester United in Group H.

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">🏆 2017/18 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> Forward of the Season! ⭐️ Cristiano Ronaldo 👏👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ca1DwKXeTZ">pic.twitter.com/Ca1DwKXeTZ</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035209769609584641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>Who else?! Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned best forward, beating Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah to the award.

Ronaldo named Forward of the Season

The third seeds have all been drawn and there are some tasty ties emerging! Just take a look at Group C - 'Group of Death', anyone? Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham, PSV Group C: PSG, Napoli, Liverpool Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia

The groups are nearly complete!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">🏆 2017/18 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> Midfielder of the Season! ⭐️ Luka Modrić 👏👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/T8RggiRIG2">pic.twitter.com/T8RggiRIG2</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035207714283110402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>Luka Modric has seen off competition from Toni Kroos and Kevin De Bruyne to pick up the award.

Modric crowned Midfielder of the Season

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn with Juventus in Group H. Here's how the groups are shaping up: Here's how they look so far... Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham Group C: PSG, Napoli Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk,&nbsp; Group G: Real Madrid, Roma Group H: Juventus, Manchester United

Manchester United drawn with Juventus!

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 🏆 2017/18 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> Defender of the Season! ⭐️ Sergio Ramos 👏👏👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/N5958BsJlo">pic.twitter.com/N5958BsJlo</a> — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035204780841492481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center> A Real Madrid star was guaranteed to be crowned best defender and Sergio Ramos has won award. The Spain international beat competition from his team-mates Raphael Varane and Marcelo.

Ramos wins Defender of the Season

Here's how they look so far... Group A: Atletico Madrid Group B: Barcelona Group C: PSG Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow Group E: Bayern Munich Group F: Manchester City Group G: Real Madrid Group H: Juventus

Top seeds are drawn!

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">40% - 40% of Champions League winners have come from group F under the current formula, since 2003/04 (6 out of 15). Meanwhile, Group G is the only group not to have produced a single winner in the last 15 seasons. Quirk. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1035180787925217286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>Reigning champions Real Madrid have been drawn in Group G, which may be a bad sign for the Spanish side. No team from Group G has ever gone on to win the competition in the last 15 seasons!

Bad news for Real Madrid?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Bravo, <a href="https://twitter.com/NavasKeylor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NavasKeylor</a>! 🎉<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/NR4Jk7kLnt">pic.twitter.com/NR4Jk7kLnt</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035201395673194496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center> Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has been crowned the best goalkeeper of the 2017-18 Champions League season. Navas saw off competition from Gianluigi Buffon and Alisson as he helped Los Blancos to clinch their third title in a row.

Navas named Goalkeeper of the Season

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 D A V I D B E C K H A M 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏅 2018 UEFA President's Award 🏅 👏 W I N N E R 👏 <a href="https://t.co/HzPmr7z2OB">pic.twitter.com/HzPmr7z2OB</a>— UEFA (@UEFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UEFA/status/1035199219924127744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center> "It is an honour for me to receive the UEFA President's Award," said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.&nbsp; "During my career I always gave 100 per cent&nbsp;and tried to uphold the values of teamwork and fair play and I am proud to join the illustrious list of players who have previously won this award. "Many of the unforgettable moments I had on the pitch came in the UEFA Champions League, such as that magic night in Barcelona in 1999 when we beat Bayern in such dramatic fashion."

Beckham honoured to receive President's Award

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">The stars are out in Monaco 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/eL6QDfa3oA">pic.twitter.com/eL6QDfa3oA</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035198298179731456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center> These guys know a thing or two about what the Champions League is all about!

The stars have arrived!

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 💪⚽ The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a> is about to START!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A%C3%BApaAtleti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AúpaAtleti</a> <a href="https://t.co/qJaY7obdDm">pic.twitter.com/qJaY7obdDm</a> — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) <a href="https://twitter.com/atletienglish/status/1035194369219944449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Getting closer...

As a precursor to tonight's draw, UEFA will hand out six awards as part of their Best Player award ceremony – where David Beckhim is set to receive his UEFA President's Award as well. Here are&nbsp;the nominees. Who do you hope will win? &nbsp; Goalkeeper Alisson Becker (Roma/Liverpool) Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus/PSG) Keylor Navas (Real Madrid) &nbsp; Defender Marcelo (Real Madrid) Sergio Ramos&nbsp;(Real Madrid) Raphaël Varane&nbsp;(Real Madrid) &nbsp; Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) Luka Modrić (Real Madrid) Forward Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Juventus) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Women's Player of the Year Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg) Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) Amandine Henry (Lyon)

UEFA Player nominees

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 🚁 ¡A Mónaco!<a href="https://twitter.com/SergioRamos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SergioRamos</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/lukamodric10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lukamodric10</a> <a href="https://t.co/ByUygw5jRp">pic.twitter.com/ByUygw5jRp</a> — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadrid/status/1035190973633126401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Looks like last year's champions are en route to Monaco!

To keep you occupied until the draw (and likely during), have a read of some interesting stats that may well shape the Champions League season ahead: <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> 5 - Spanish clubs have won the last five European Cup/Champions League titles (Real Madrid 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018; Barcelona 2015), the longest run in the competition since English sides won six consecutive European Cups from 1977 to 1982. Dominance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/9mYVUBmi2L">pic.twitter.com/9mYVUBmi2L</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1035183217467371520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center> Will Real Madrid be aiming to win a fourth Champions League title in a row? Only true '90s kids remember the last non-Spanish side to win the Champions League! (Spoiler: Bayern Munich in 2013).

Some stat fodder ahead of the draw 🇪🇸

Seems like the City midfielder is keen on knocking out one of his previous teams! <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> .<a href="https://twitter.com/BernardoCSilva?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BernardoCSilva</a> thinks:<a href="https://twitter.com/SLBenfica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SLBenfica</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AS_Monaco?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AS_Monaco</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Inter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Inter</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/1DP9G20NmN">pic.twitter.com/1DP9G20NmN</a> — Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1035188561165856769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Bernardo Silva gives his draw predictions!

Real Madrid have found their new No.7 following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, but will he be their new 'Mr Champions League'? New <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/real-madrid-confirm-mariano-diaz-transfer-amid-sevilla/1kp1swnujhuj91mvo9dpwp7t41" target="_blank">€30m (£27m/$35m) signing from Lyon, Mariano Diaz</a>, is going to have some big shoes to fill at the Santiago Bernabeu. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/mariano-to-succeed-ronaldo-and-become-real-madrid-no7/ayp09plp36kt13xfnsv69vw54" target="_blank">Read the full story from Goal's Real Madrid correspondent Alberto Pinero!</a>

Have Madrid found their new 'Mr Champions League'?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">🚁 <a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoSalah</a> has landed! 🏆 Positional awards/Player of the Year announced during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a>. <a href="https://t.co/IYdUxwgyeE">pic.twitter.com/IYdUxwgyeE</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035176382060482561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </center>

Will Salah win Player of the Year? 🤔

There's just under an hour to go before things get under way in Monaco! To recap, here are the Champions League seeding pots: Pot 1:&nbsp;Real Madrid,&nbsp;Atletico&nbsp;Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Man City, Juventus, Paris St Germain, Lokomotiv Moscow Pot 2:&nbsp;Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Man United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Benfica, Napoli, Tottenham, Roma Pot 3:&nbsp;Liverpool, Schalke, Lyon, Monaco, Ajax, CSKA Moscow, &nbsp;PSV Eindhoven, Valencia Pot 4:&nbsp;Viktoria Plzen, Brugge, Galatasaray, Young Boys, Inter Milan, Hoffenheim,&nbsp;Red Star Belgrade, AEK Athens

Under an hour to go! ⏳

😍 <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> David Beckham in the building! 👌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a> <a href="https://t.co/1lgysVQvxv">pic.twitter.com/1lgysVQvxv</a> — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035178669831073793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Becks has arrived!

In the event of associations featuring two or more club representatives (such as the Premier League or La Liga), teams have been paired in order to <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/champions-league-2018-19-explained-how-uefas-changes-impact/1m5pkx9eax9021wegmgutisiti" target="_blank">divide their games between Tuesday and Wednesday</a> for viewing purposes. For example, Tottenham have been paired alongside Manchester City, and will be split on opposite sides of the draw – so if the north London side are drawn into Groups A-D, Guardiola's side will be drawn from E-H. Here is the full list of teams for TV listing: Real Madrid &amp; Barcelona Atlético Madrid &amp; Valencia Bayern Munich &amp; Dortmund Manchester City &amp; Tottenham Juventus &amp; Inter Milan PSG &amp; Lyon Lokomotiv Moscow &amp; CSKA Moscow Porto &amp; Benfica Manchester United &amp; Liverpool Napoli &amp; Roma Schalke &amp; Hoffenheim Ajax &amp; PSV Eindhoven

How will TV rights affect the group stage?

More star power has been added! Looks like Manchester United and England legend David Beckham is set to be awarded a major honour tonight. <center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">David Beckham will be the recipient of the 2018 UEFA President's Award in Monaco this evening 🏅 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Which legend would YOU choose for next year's prize? 🤔<a href="https://t.co/BUhzUOYrNV">https://t.co/BUhzUOYrNV</a>— UEFA (@UEFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/UEFA/status/1035169787083673600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Beckham to receive an award by UEFA this evening

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a> ⌛️⏳⌛️⏳⌛️⏳— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) <a href="https://twitter.com/JanVertonghen/status/1035167889987387393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Jan Vertonghen's ready...

A bad Champions League draw would not be a welcome sight for Jose Mourinho after the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/video-mourinhos-epic-rant-as-man-utd-enter-crisis/dd4iuxsbbnul1n61jav5onihl" target="_blank">Very Bad Week</a> he has been having. Manchester United are in pot two alongside Dortmund, Roma, Porto and Napoli, and have been having favourable draws in recent years – and this season could no be no different. In pot one&nbsp;are Lokomotiv Moscow who have struggled to defend their Russian Super League title, and will be the draw that most sides fancy –&nbsp;while CSKA Moscow, Ajax Brugge could be pot three and pot four opponents for the Red Devils. If Mourinho manages to win the Champions League this season with Man United, it will take his tally of European Cup wins to three. So, if he wins this the tournament but then gets knocked out in the group stage next season 3-0 on aggregate, he can <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/mourinhos-post-match-pantomime-fooling-nobody-man-united/epyilk6rznlt1t3n1hputx0bv" target="_blank">say it does not matter</a> as he will have won three European Cups.

Which draw will make Mourinho happy?

Don't forget that the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/salah-all-the-way-twitter-backs-liverpool-star-for-uefa-mens/4v0nhnb5w32r1lz4c5k98dmi6" target="_blank">UEFA player awards</a> will also be announced during today's group stage draw, during the supposed preamble to the actual draw itself! It is not the same as the <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/fifas-the-best-awards-2018-when-is-it-who-are-the-nominees/xvbq9mb6ywyu1j6zz9xbwdbuk" target="_blank">FIFA Best Awards</a>, and it is certainly not the same as the Ballon d'Or Award – it's a completely different entity (we know, we know). Award categories include: Men's Player of the Year, Women's Player of the Year as well as each&nbsp;Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder and Forward of the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League season. Looks like Liverpool starlet Mo Salah is a frontrunner... <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> UEFA Men's Player of the Year 2017/18: who gets your vote? 🤔 🗓️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UEFAawards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UEFAawards</a> presented at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLdraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLdraw</a>, 30 August 🏆 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1031531396676956162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

UEFA Player Awards to be announced before draw

👀 <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Champions League draw today ... 👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChampionsLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/m24n6ahTEI">pic.twitter.com/m24n6ahTEI</a> — Ander Herrera (@AnderHerrera) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnderHerrera/status/1035127289032400896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Herrera can't contain his excitement...

Madrid are defending champions of an unprecedented third consecutive Champions League trophy after <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/match/real-madrid-v-liverpool/7gvcozojr5oirptnvjanfuxyi" target="_blank">ousting Liverpool in Kiev in May</a>. Last season, Real Madrid became the first team since Bayern Munich in the mid-70’s (1974, 1975, 1976) to win three consecutive Champions League titles and could very well go for an unheard of&nbsp;fourth&nbsp;straight win. A huge blow, however, is the loss of star striker Cristiano Ronaldo <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/ronaldo-arrives-for-juventus-medical-ahead-of-sensational/4grxl71j4vhm1dfduuc2ac5u2" target="_blank">who left for Juventus</a>. The forward was directly involved in exactly 50% of Real Madrid’s goals in the Champions League from 2009/10 to 2017/18&nbsp; – 105 goals, 27 assists – and he will a glaring omission from the side.

Can Real Madrid win the CL without Ronaldo?

Tottenham may still not know where they are to play their Champions League matches as <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/tottenham-to-play-opening-champions-league-home-match-at/akrnwmthe6l61i9aoiiui694x" target="_blank">work on White Hart Lane is still ongoing</a>, but what they do know is that Ledley King will represent them as club ambassador during the draw! Here he is,&nbsp;flying to Monaco in a very snazzy helicopter. <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> Arriving in Monaco for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLDraw</a> which teams will we get🤔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COYS</a> <a href="https://t.co/dsXDH9sGql">pic.twitter.com/dsXDH9sGql</a> — Ledley King (@LedleyKing) <a href="https://twitter.com/LedleyKing/status/1035144326026878976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Ledley King arrives!

The Champions League hasn't been the kindest competition to Jurgen Klopp – with the German losing both&nbsp;finals he has led his team to, as manager of Borussia Dortmund and now Liverpool. The Reds were unlucky as last season's finalists when they lost 1-3 to Real Madrid, and their route to European glory this year could be a tough challenge. Klopp's side dropped into pot three after initially seeded in pot two after <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/champions-league-2018-19-which-teams-have-qualified-when-are-the-/1mdfq5k28nrb21xoggki7vc7id" target="_blank">play-off fixtures went against them</a> and Benfica progressed to the group stage ahead of Greek side PAOK. A worst case scenario&nbsp;draw could Liverpool placed&nbsp;in a group with one of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain from pot one, plus Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, or Roma. Their best draw, however, could see them line up against Lokomotiv Moscow and Porto.

Could Liverpool be handed a "group of death" draw?

It seems as if Roma couldn't bear waiting until 5pm BST for the draw to take place, and have simply gone and conducted it themselves. The Serie A side orchestrated their own draw via their Twitter feed earlier today – and Jose Mourinho wouldn't be too happy with this version of the draw! <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> And here’s the full <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChampionsLeague</a> draw in case you were wondering <a href="https://t.co/gZ83NOwmbJ">pic.twitter.com/gZ83NOwmbJ</a> — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/status/1035126681906950146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Roma take matters into their own hands!

The draw for this year's Champions League group stage takes place at&nbsp;5pm BST in Monaco&nbsp;at the Grimaldi Forum, with the likes of defending champions Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool soon knowing their opponents. Man&nbsp;City, Man United and Tottenham round off the rest of the Premier League representatives. Real Madrid, as winners of last year's competition, are seeded in pot one – with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid – while Pep Guardiola's title-winning side are also among one of eight top seeds. Man United and Spurs are both in pot two, while finalists Liverpool are in danger of being placed in group three – and in the "group of death". Need a refresher of all the teams who can be drawn today? Take a look at our&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/champions-league-2018-19-which-teams-have-qualified-when-are-the-/1mdfq5k28nrb21xoggki7vc7id" target="_blank">handy guide to the competition</a>.

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Champions League draw LIVE: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd & more discover group stage fate | Goal.com South Africa

Follow the live blog for all the updates as the group stage draw for Europe&apos;s premier competition is decided