Kylian Mbappe’s ‘childhood idol’ was Cristiano Ronaldo

Paris Saint-Germain starlet Kylian Mbappe has described Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo as his ‘childhood idol’.

The teenager will go up against the Portuguese star in the last 16 of the Champions League with the first-leg due to take place in Madrid on February 14 before the return is pencilled in for March 6 in Paris.

Mbappe moved to the French capital on loan from rivals Monaco this summer with a sure-thing permanent £166m deal on the horizon at the end of the season and insists the love he once had for Ronaldo has diminished since turning professional.

‘Yes it’s true, Cristiano was my childhood idol,’ Mbappe told an interview with Marca.

‘It was fantastic to meet him when I went to Valdebebas (Madrid’s training ground) but I no longer have those feelings, due to me now being a professional too.

‘He is a fantastic player but when you look at what PSG have, we have players on a similar level to that, such as Neymar.

‘It will be fantastic to play Madrid in the Champions League as I have never played at the Bernabeu and this will be a fantastic challenge.

‘We must prepare well for the match and believe in our own ability.’ 

Mbappe met Ronaldo at Madrid’s training ground but claims his love for him has diminished

The youngster will go up against Ronaldo and Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16

Mbappe has impressed in his short time at Parc des Princes, scoring 12 and assisting 11 goals in 23 appearances so far.

PSG have been in Qatar for a warm weather training camp and PR tour during the Ligue 1 winter break. 

Unai Emery’s side are nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and return to action on January 7, away at Rennes in the French Cup.