Kylian Mbappe believes his performance and match-winning goal against Real Madrid proved his commitment to Paris Saint-Germain – though he once again refused to shut down speculation around his future.
Much of the focus heading into PSG's Champions League last-16 tie with Madrid was focused on Mbappe due to Los Blancos' long-standing interest in him.
The France star is in the final six months of his PSG contract and, according to reports, is likely to join Madrid at the end of the season.
But he left no doubt as to his commitment to PSG so long as he wears their jersey, producing an excellent individual performance and getting the winning goal in Tuesday's 1-0 home victory.
Mbappe had seven shots in all, drawing a couple of crucial saves from Thibaut Courtois, and also won the penalty that Lionel Messi failed to convert.
And just when Madrid looked to have survived a late onslaught, Mbappe jinked between two defenders and shot through Courtois' legs deep into stoppage time, giving PSG the advantage ahead of the second leg on March 9.
Asked how he managed to ignore the context around the game, Mbappe told Canal Plus: "It's easy, you have to play football.
"We ask too many questions, we say too many things. We talk about PSG and Madrid, two great clubs. I'm a PSG player, I'm always very happy.
"I said I was going to give it my all and I had to prove it with facts. I did it for the first time, we will have to prove it a second time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"We wanted to be ready for these great nights. We dream of these kinds of nights. We wanted to win, we were pushed by our fans."
Some PSG fans surely hoped Mbappe might use the moment to declare he was staying at PSG, though any such fantasies would have been naive, as the 23-year-old again left the door open to speculation.
"I play for one of the best teams in the world," he added. "I'm going to give 100 per cent throughout the season and then we'll see."
Ronaldo delivers another hat-trick as Al Nassr ease past Al Wedha
Cristiano Ronaldo crafted a decisive hat-trick as Al Nassr hammered Al Wedha 6-0 in Saturday's Saudi Pro League meeting.
Portugal veteran Ronaldo found the net twice in the first 12 minutes at Al Awal Park before completing his treble after the interval.
Sadio Mane teed up Ronaldo's third finish, as well as an 18th-minute strike from Otavio, who returned the favour for the Senegal international to score on the stroke of half-time.
Mohammed Al Fatil added a late sixth as Al Nassr recorded their seventh straight league win since their March 7 loss against Al Raed, moving them back within nine points of leaders Al Hilal.
Jorge Jesus's Al Hilal swept Al Tauwoon aside in a 3-0 away triumph on Friday for their fourth straight victory across all competitions.
Talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium before Saud Abdulhamid and Saleh Alsherhi wrapped up a win that kept Al Hilal in charge of the title race.
There was no such fortune for fifth-placed Al Ittihad as they fell to a third straight defeat in all competitions after a 3-1 loss away against Abha.
Jota levelled after Grzegorz Krychowiak's 57th-minute penalty, only for Hassan Al-Ali and Fabian Noguera to power hosts Abha to a comfortable win.
Real Madrid's LaLiga joy must be 'contained' ahead of Bayern meeting
Carlo Ancelotti knows Real Madrid's LaLiga title celebrations must be "contained" as they prepare to take on Bayern Munich.
Madrid were crowned LaLiga champions for a record-extending 36th time on Saturday, after Barcelona lost 4-2 to Girona.
The Blaugrana's defeat followed on from Madrid beating Cadiz 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham and Joselu were on target for Los Blancos, whose coach Ancelotti knows restraint is needed in his team's celebrations, with the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern coming up on Wednesday.
"It's obviously a contained joy, because the most important game of the season is also very close, but we have to be happy," Ancelotti told Movistar Plus+ before the Barca game had been played.
"These games are difficult to prepare for, because you have Wednesday on your mind. But so far it's been spectacular, our team was steady, with hardly any mistakes. The advantage we have is well deserved.
"A big part [of Madrid's success] was achieved when we started to defend better, with a collective commitment.
"The effort put by the players up front was great, but the injuries early in the season helped us to realise that it wasn't about individuals but putting on a collective effort, and we did great."
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, Ancelotti said: "We are very good. It is the seventh victory in a row in the League, a spectacular one as a whole.
"We are very close to winning it and I think we are going to do it with merit.
"It is a celebration taking into account what has to happen on Wednesday. We are all happy with the match, but let's think about Bayern."
Thibaut Courtois, meanwhile, returned from his long injury lay-off to feature for the first time this season.
Ancelotti added: "Thibaut is a very important piece for this team, although [Andriy] Lunin has had a spectacular season and that is a lot of credit to Andriy. But Courtois has returned very well and was decisive. He is doing very well."
Real Madrid clinch LaLiga title after Barcelona lose to Girona
Real Madrid have been crowned LaLiga champions for a record-extending 36th time after Barcelona went down to Girona.
Madrid beat Cadiz 3-0 earlier on Saturday, but Carlo Ancelotti's team could still have been caught by Barca.
Yet the Blaugrana's slim hopes were ended when they lost 4-2 to Girona.
That ensured Los Blancos' lead at the top, with four games remaining, is unassailable.
Madrid have won 27 of their 34 league matches so far this season, losing just once.
Ancelotti's focus will now turn to the Champions League, with Madrid to host Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.
Vinicius Junior's double secured a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Munich.
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