Arsenal have been handed a tough Champions League tie as they were drawn against holders Barcelona in the last 16.
French heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against 2012 winners Chelsea for the third straight season, while Bayern Munich will meet last year's finalists Juventus.
The draw also saw record 10-time winners Real Madrid matched up against Roma, while Manchester City will meet Ukrainians Dynamo Kiev for a place in the quarter-finals.
Messi scored four times in a 4-1 drubbing of Arsenal in a 2010 Champions League quarter final and Barcelona will again start the tie against Arsene Wenger's side as favourites.
But Barcelona director Albert Soler said the title-holders had plenty of respect for the Gunners, who the Spaniards also beat 2-1 in the 2006 Champions League final in Paris.
"As always, we have respect for the opponnent. Arsenal are a great team and I am sure we will have difficulties against them," Soler told BeIn Sports Spain.
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm admitted the Bundesliga leaders had stumbled upon a tricky last-16 opponent in Juve but remained confident of progressing. "It's a European classic. Juve were runners-up last season which represents a major challenge, but we want to reach the quarters and will do everything we can."
The draw was carried out at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. The games will be between February 16 and March 16.
Champions League last 16 draw:
Gent v Wolfsburg
Roma v Real Madrid
Paris St-Germain v Chelsea
Arsenal v Barcelona
Juventus v Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid
Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg
Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City
AFP