Thursday was the all-important draw for the league phase of the 2025/26 edition of the UEFA Champions League. As seen with last year's edition, the league phase features some huge matchups between European giants, and for Real Madrid, this year is no different.
Let's take a look at the eight opponents Real Madrid will face off against in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, and keep in mind this is not the order of the matches.
Manchester City (Home)
Let's be honest, this is getting tiresome. For the seventh time in ten years, Real Madrid will face off against Manchester City in the Champions League. The two clubs have faced each other at some stage of the competition every year since the 19/20 season, except in the 20/21 season, with Real eliminating City three times in those five seasons.
Last year's meeting saw two epic matches, with the second leg including a Kylian Mbappe hattrick. How this year's matchup will play out should be interesting to watch. Real Madrid seem rejuvenated with new manager Xabi Alonso at the helm, and Manchester City seem to be on a downward slope dating back to last season. I'm not much of a betting man, but Real Madrid winning this match seems like a safe bet given the mindset of each team and coach.
Liverpool (Away)
Much like last year's Champions League campaign, Real Madrid will be travelling to Anfield. Los Blancos faced off against the defending Premier League champions last season, suffering a quite embarrassing 2-0 loss.
However, this year's matchup could play out much differently. Both teams have made a number of major signings that could flip the game in either teams favor. This will no doubt be one of the must watch league phase games for Real Madrid. Each team is loaded with star power, and this game also marks Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Anfield; however, this time he'll be facing his boyhood club.
Juventus (Home)
Now this is a matchup of European heritage. Real Madrid vs Juventus is a classic matchup of two giants, and one we haven't seen in the Champions League in quite some time. The two last faced off on Europe's grandest stage in the quarterfinals of the 2017/18 season, with Real squeaking by after a stoppage-time penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Outside of the Champions League, the two faced off in the round of 16 in this summer's Club World Cup with Real eliminating the Italian side in a tough-fought 1-0 victory. The two teams were very well matched in that game, making it a tough call to favour either team. Given the passion of each fan base, the game will be an entertaining watch for fans of either club.
Benfica (Away)
Real Madrid vs Benfica is a matchup we haven't seen in quite some time, and I mean a long time. The last time the two clubs matched up in the Champions League was the quarterfinals of the 1964/65 season, with Benfica advancing 6-3 on aggregate. The Portuguese side holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Los Blancos, also defeating Real 5-3 in the 1961/62 final.
How this matchup will play out will be interesting. Benfica had to play through the qualifier rounds this summer, just barely squeaking into the tournament. Real Madrid have fond memories at Benfica's stadium, the Estadio da Luz, and they no doubt hope to recreate that magic again this season. This match also marks Real Madrid's new summer signing Alvaro Carreras facing off against his former side.
Marseille (Home)
Los Blancos will matchup against another team the haven't played in close to two decades in Marseille. The two last squared off in the group stage of the 2009/10 season with Real taking home a 3-1 victory. Los Blancos hold a 4-0 head-to-head record against the French side in the Champions League.
However, this is a different Marseille now. Roberto De Zerbi has put together a group of tough, hardworking players who are going to bring the challenge to Real Madrid. This match coming at home could give Xabi Alonso's men a slight advantage as Marseille's home stadium can be a daunting place to travel to, but thankfully Real won't have to go on the road.
Olympiacos (Away)
And we come to yet another opponent that Real Madrid haven't faced off against since the early 2000s in Greek side Olympiacos. The two have squared off eight times in total, but have not played each other since the group stage of the 2007/08 season. Real has the advantage in the head-to-head record with four wins to Olympiacos' one, however, there have been three draws.
We have seen it before with top European sides travelling to Greece to play Olympiacos and struggling, so with this game, anything is possible. The atmosphere and passion from the Greek supporters tend to be incredible, and with a team like Real Madrid coming to town, there will no doubt be fireworks in this game.
Monaco (Home)
The final team that Real Madrid will play at home is a matchup against Kylian Mbappe's boyhood club, Monaco. The teams hold a 1-1 head-to-head record, having last played in the quarterfinals of the 2003/04 season, with Monaco winning by away goals.
The French side have added some top-quality free agents this summer, including Eric Dier and a major signing of Paul Pogba. Mbappe will no doubt have this game marked on his calendar when the fixture schedule comes out, and so will many Real Madrid fans.
Kairat Almaty (Away)
And finally we come to the most interesting game of the bunch, Real Madrid's first-ever trip to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty, who are making their debut in the UEFA Champions League.
The Kazakhstani side fought valiantly to get to the league phase, eliminating Celtic on penalties to punch their ticket to face off against the big boys of Europe. Los Blancos will have to endure an over 10-hour flight to the visitors in what should be a very interesting match. Most times when top European clubs draw a smaller opponent like this, they tend to be overconfident and come away with an upset loss. Let's hope Real Madrid doesn't underestimate their opponents in this one.