Mbappe on Real Madrid: "I'm a PSG player, I'm always very happy"
Real Madrid lost to a late goal from a player they hope will join them, Kylian Mbappe, who felt his display proved his professionalism.
Kylian Mbappé believes his performance and match-winning goal against Real Madrid proved his commitment to Paris Saint-Germain – though he once again refused to shut down speculation around his future.
Much of the focus heading into PSG's Champions League last-16 tie with Madrid was focused on Mbappé due to Los Blancos' long-standing interest in him.
The France star is in the final six months of his PSG contract and, according to reports, is likely to join Madrid at the end of the season.
But he left no doubt as to his commitment to PSG so long as he wears their jersey, producing an excellent individual performance and getting the winning goal in Tuesday's 1-0 home victory.
Mbappé had seven shots in all, drawing a couple of crucial saves from Thibaut Courtois, and also won the penalty that Lionel Messi failed to convert.
And just when Madrid looked to have survived a late onslaught, Mbappé jinked between two defenders and shot through Courtois' legs deep into stoppage time, giving PSG the advantage ahead of the second leg on March 9.
Mbappé: "I'm going to give 100 per cent throughout the season"
Asked how he managed to ignore the context around the game, Mbappe told Canal Plus: "It's easy, you have to play football.
"We ask too many questions, we say too many things. We talk about PSG and Madrid, two great clubs. I'm a PSG player, I'm always very happy.
"I said I was going to give it my all and I had to prove it with facts. I did it for the first time, we will have to prove it a second time at the Santiago Bernabéeu.
"We wanted to be ready for these great nights. We dream of these kinds of nights. We wanted to win, we were pushed by our fans."
Some PSG fans surely hoped Mbappé might use the moment to declare he was staying at PSG, though any such fantasies would have been naive, as the 23-year-old again left the door open to speculation.
"I play for one of the best teams in the world," he added. "I'm going to give 100 per cent throughout the season and then we'll see."