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Mbappe appears to copy Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration in win over Real Madrid

  /  autty

Kylian Mbappe has made no secret of his admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo, and eagle-eyed football fans spotted the Paris Saint-Germain imitating his idol after bagging a late winner against Real Madrid.

Mbappe, 23, was on hand to spare Lionel Messi's blushes for a missed penalty with a sublime individual goal in the dying moments of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League last-16 clash with the Spaniards.

The Frenchman danced past a number of tackles before keeping his cool to slot beyond Madrid stopped Courtois and give his side a crucial advantage heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Mbappe's strike onset sheer bedlam at the Parc des Princes, but viewers have noticed a slight nod from the attacker to Manchester United star Ronaldo.

As he wheels away in celebration, the 23-year-old can be seen briefly pointing to the turf below him. It is a gesture that Ronaldo commonly does before performing his hugely-popular 'SIUU' celebration.

It is also a nod to Ronaldo's 'I'm here' celebration, which he first made famous when he scored the winner against Sweden in a World Cup qualifier in 2013.

Mbappe has publicly stated that the Portuguese is his hero. 'My first [idol] was [Zinedine] Zidane,' he said. 'For everything he achieved with the national team. Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo. He has won a lot and continues to be a winner even after so much success.'

His father told France Football in 2016: 'He is a Real Madrid fan and his idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, He used to spend hours watching videos [of Ronaldo] on the internet.'

It is not the first of Mbappe's heroes that he has imitated recently, having copied Thierry Henry after leaning on a corner flag following his goal against Rennes.

Mbappe has been strongly linked with a move to Madrid this summer, with Los Blancos lining up a swoop when the 23-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season.

The Frenchman has spent just under four years in the French capital, and is aiming to help the club lift their first Champions League title before his expected departure.