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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jack Rosser

Kylian Mbappe: PSG star insists future remains undecided after striking blow to long-term suitors Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe said he has yet to decide his future after scoring a dramatic late winner for Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League victory against Real Madrid.

Mbappe scored the only goal in the 94th minute to give PSG a 1-0 advantage after the first leg of their last-16 tie in Paris.

It was a big night for Mbappe, who has previously indicated his desire to join Real on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Real had two bids for Mbappe rejected last summer and the 23-year-old has so far resisted offers to sign a new contract with PSG despite talks over a short-term extension.

Asked whether his goal last night could influence his future, Mbappe said: "No, I've not decided. I give my best and then we will see what happens next season."

After Lionel Messi had a penalty saved earlier in the second half, Mbappe lit up another big European night when he beat two Real defenders before calmly slotting home.

Kylian Mbappe scored a dramatic last-gasp winner for PSG against Real Madrid on Tuesday night (Getty Images)

"How to ignore the (transfer) context? It's easy, you have to play football," Mbappe said. "We ask too many questions, we say too many things. We talk about PSG and Real, two big clubs. I'm a PSG player, I'm always very happy."

PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino lavished praise on Mbappe, labelling him “one of the best players in the world”.

Pochettino said: “Mbappe's amazing. He's a great talent. I'm always talking in the same way. I cannot find more words. He's amazing.”

Beaten Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “Mbappe is the best player in European football. Mbappe is unstoppable, we have tried to control him. [Eder] Militao has done very well, but he is a player who always invents something.”

PSG’s win gives them a slender advantage ahead of the second leg, although with away goals no longer counting double the tie is still alive.

The return leg takes place in Madrid on March 9.

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