Kylian Mbappé played a starring role in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Manchester City, netting a hat-trick to secure his team’s place in the Champions League knockout stages.
The French forward’s dazzling performance against the English champions underscored his influence as Madrid’s talisman.
With qualification sealed, attention now turns to Madrid’s next opponent in the round of 16, where they will face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
While both teams pose a challenge, Mbappé has a clear preference.
Mbappé prefers to avoid long travel
Speaking to Movistar after the match, the Real Madrid forward admitted he would rather take on city rivals Atlético Madrid than travel to Germany to face Leverkusen.
They are two great teams. For me, it would be better to face Atlético, so we wouldn’t have to travel (laughs).
We travel a lot. Both opponents are complicated, but it’s better to avoid a long trip, he said.
A clash of styles in potential matchups
A Madrid derby in the Champions League knockout stages would add an extra layer of intensity, with Diego Simeone’s Atlético side known for their defensive resilience and aggressive approach.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, have emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking teams, making them a formidable opponent.
Regardless of the draw, Real Madrid remain among the favourites to progress further in the tournament, with Mbappé’s presence offering them a major advantage.
The final decision will be made when the Champions League round of 16 draw takes place, revealing whether Madrid will face their local rivals or make the trip to Germany.
