Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he is "in love" with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, a long-time transfer target for Los Blancos.
Zidane's side host PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night and in Monday's pre-match press conference, the Frenchman was inevitably asked about his compatriot.
When it was put to him that the striker is in love with Real Madrid, he replied: "I'm in love with him. First of all as a person. He came here for a trial (as a youngster), I can't say anything else."
And in response to another question about the World Cup winner playing at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, Zidane said: "He comes here as a rival. I'm concerned with what we do.
"We know his importance to PSG and we have to be prepared."
Meanwhile, Neymar was considered doubtful for Tuesday's game, but Zidane said: "I think they will both play (Neymar and Mbappe). We are ready to play against anyone. The fans want to see a great match."
Madrid lost the teams' first meeting 3-0 at the Parc des Princes in September, a result which set the alarm bells ringing at the Santiago Bernabeu and brought speculation over Zidane's future as coach.
"We have improved since then," he said. "This is not a revenge match. We want a (good) result and to maintain our consistency. It's a game for confirming this dynamic. It will be an interesting match."
And later, he added: "What happened, happened. I want to see my team play 90 minutes at a great level."
