Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino does not believe Kylian Mbappe’s future will be affected by his side’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.
Mbappe’s contract with PSG expires in the summer and while the 23-year-old Frenchman is expected to return to Real Madrid, he has said he can stay in France in December.
Real will play their first match of the last 16 at the Parc de Princes on Tuesday.
Pochettino told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Thursday night.
“He is an intelligent, mature, intelligent boy who can determine and know exactly what he wants in the future.
“He has a lot of people around him who I’m sure will advise him in the best possible way. So I don’t think that’s the case. I see he is calm, he is focused on doing the right thing for PSG. You have to respect him. He will decide after the tie. “
The match will be Lionel Messi’s first against Madrid since leaving Barcelona, while Sergio Ramos will face his former club, despite the former full-back suffering from a hamstring injury.
“Leo is brilliant, one of those players who comes out once in a hundred years,” Pochettino said.
“I think he came into this important moment of the season at his best. I have no doubt that he will show his best form.”
Pochettino said Ramos had “some setbacks”.
Pochettino added: “We’ll see if he does, and if not the second round.”
Neymar is also a doubt, having played the last 11 games due to an ankle injury.
“He is recovering well, I think he is almost back,” Pochettino said. “The next few days will be the key.”