Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates the goal scored by teammate Ander Herrera during the UEFA Champions League playoff second leg match between Club Brugge and Manchester United at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium, Aug 26, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Barcelona heads 32-team draw for Champions League groups

The Champions League season takes shape Thursday when UEFA draws 32 elite teams into groups in Monaco.

The most coveted prize in club football promises the world's best players performing at arguably their highest level.

Barcelona and Lionel Messi start as favorites to become the first team to retain the title since the old European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992.

Real Madrid hopes Cristiano Ronaldo can help the club to a record-extending 11th title, and his old club Manchester United returns after a one-year absence.