Zidane: I've been in love with Mbappe for a long time

Zinedine Zidane has again expressed his adoration for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League meeting with the French side on Tuesday.

Mbappe has been heavily linked with a future move to Madrid and he'll have a chance to impress the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

"You know that I've known him for a long time," Zidane told the press when asked about the forward.

"I'm already in love with him as a person first, because he came here a long time ago for a trial.

"He's the rival now, so I can't say any more."

Madrid have improved in recent weeks but the game against PSG presents them with a tough task, particularly having lost 3-0 in Paris.

"It's the most important game of the season," Zidane explained.

"We'll be against a very good team and will have to be prepared.

"We need heart and head, but especially good football."

Looking back at that first game in September, Zidane acknowledged that a lot has changed in the capital.

"We've changed and it's not a rematch," Zidane said. "We want to play well and continue our form.

"It's a game to confirm our turnaround."