Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid: No room for Neymar in star-studded Ultimate XI

The Champions League returns tonight and there are two stand out clashes to signal the restart of Europe's elite club competition. Of course - with all due respect to Sporting CP's welcome of Manchester City - the glamour tie is PSG's meeting with Real Madrid as the two European heavyweights lock horns at the last-16 stage. 

PSG are seeking Champions League glory for the first time having come so close in 2020, while Real Madrid are vying to be crowned European champions for the 14th time in their illustrious history. One side will be left disappointed. 

The pair are blessed with ample talent across all areas of the pitch, so some star players will miss out as WhoScored pick out a combined XI between the two teams. For this XI, we take a look at those to have made three or more appearances in the Champions League this season, taking into account just their rating in the competition. 

Across both teams, there are three world class shotstoppers on offer with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas both making three appearances apiece for Mauricio Pochettino's side, while Carlo Ancelotti has Thibaut Courtois to call upon. However, for this XI, it is Donnarumma (8.02) who makes the grade, with a stand out display coming in PSG's 2-0 home win over Manchester City. 

Ahead of the Italian in this 4-4-2 system is an all-Brazilian centre-back partnership as Eder Militao (7.29) and Marquinhos (6.95) link up at the heart of the defence. Los Blancos wrap up the backline as Dani Carvajal (7.11) and Ferland Mendy (6.92) feature at right and left-back, respectively. 

There will be plenty of defensive work required for the central midfield pair in this combined XI with Marco Verratti (7.57) and Toni Kroos (7.51) linking up in the middle of the park. The former does at least rank joint-third for tackles per game (2.3) of both teams, while Verratti (79.7) and Kroos (76) place first and second, respectively, for passes per game so this team will do well to retain possession. 

A certain Lionel Messi (7.96) operates on the right flank in this team with the experienced Argentine saving his best performances for the Champions League. Indeed, Messi has five goals to his name, three more than he has managed in Ligue 1. On the opposite wing is Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior (8.00). The Brazilian has been a revelation for Los Blancos this season and has directly contributed to five of Real Madrid's 14 Champions League goals, scoring twice, so far this campaign. 

Vinicius Junior's partnership with Karim Benzema (8.10) has been a joy to watch with the Frenchman the top rated player in the Champions League of the two teams. Benzema, like Messi, has five goals to his name and has scored in all but one of his five outings in the competition. Joining Benzema on the frontline is compatriot Kylian Mbappe (7.66). The PSG star is in line to join Real Madrid in the summer, but will look to bow out from PSG as a European champion. 

Mbappe has been excellent in the Champions League so far having had a direct hand in a goal in each of his six appearances, scoring four goals and provide four assists. Only Bruno Fernandes (5) has bettered the 23-year-old's assist return and he'll seek to add to that over the next two legs.

Five Key Battles: Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid Champions League preview