Kylian Mbappe reveals who he wants Real Madrid to face in the Champions League

Kylian Mbappe revealed who he wanted Real Madrid to face next in the Champions League after the emphatic victory over Manchester City.

Mbappe’s sensational hat-trick took Champions League holders Real past Man City and into the knockout rounds.

Leading 3-2 after the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid battered Pep Guardiola’s side at the Bernabeu to set up a last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.

Some Real Madrid fans may be hoping to avoid city rivals Atletico but Mbappe is keen for a mouth-watering clash with Diego Simeone’s side.

Atletico have impressed this season, climbing to third in the La Liga table – just one point behind joint leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona – and qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockout stages.

Leverkusen also finished in the top-eight of the revamped group phase while they still have aspirations of winning the Bundesliga, currently sitting eight points behind German giants Bayern Munich.

After being awarded with his Player of the Match award, Mbappe said: ‘I have always said I didn’t come here simply to complete a dream. I want to play well, I want to mark an era.

‘I knew I couldn’t be doing worse than I was initially here, and I knew that I had to begin to play with personality. As for goals, I do not set myself any limits.

‘If I can score 50 goals I will; if I can score more, I will. But I’ve often scored lots of goals in my career and not won trophies. If I can score and lift trophies, let me sign up for that right now.

‘This was a perfect night. We wanted to win and this was how to do it. To us, it’s logical that Madrid are in the quarter-final.

‘We gave everything in front of our home fans and we won because we produced a great performance against City, who are always difficult to play.

‘Honestly, I would rather we are drawn against Atleti. They and Bayern are two great clubs and it would be difficult either way.

‘But in the next round, it would be much better for us if we don’t have to travel – we travel so much!’

‘Bayer Leverkusen or Atleti next? Both difficult but I prefer Atleti, so we save ourselves a trip!’

Carlo Ancelotti was asked the same question after Real Madrid’s emphatic victory but decided to keep his cards close to his chest.

‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Honestly I don’t know. Who I want tonight could change tomorrow.

‘All I want to say about the draw is that both Atleti and Leverkusen are good rivals and we will respect them.’

Mbappe settled any Real Madrid nerves inside five minutes, latching onto a hopeful long ball and lobbing Ederson.

The France World Cup winner doubled Real Madrid’s lead with a stunning finish on 33 minutes before adding his and the hosts’ third after the break.

‘It was a good evening and a good performance from us,’ England midfielder Jude Bellingham told TNT Sports.

‘It was a really enjoyable game to play in. The most important thing for us was the defensive side of the game.

‘We knew that once we boxed that off, we could attack with more freedom. That was the key tonight and in the [first leg].’

Asked what it is like to play behind Mbappe, Bellingham added: ‘It is brilliant playing with him. You go into games knowing you can give him the ball and he is going to affect things.

‘Our jobs behind him and the rest of the front three is to try and get them into the best positions possible and I myself try and get in the box too.

‘You know when Kylian gets the ball in the areas he likes on the pitch he is going to be dangerous. Left foot or right foot. He scored a few different types of goals today.

‘It is incredible what he has done in his career. I know he had a slow start here and took time getting used to life here. Now he is flying and it’s so good to see.’

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