Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is on the decline.

Ronaldo has been below his usual incredible level this season, after scoring just eight goals in 17 La Liga games.

But the Portuguese star has netted nine in six Champions League outings heading into his team’s last 16 first leg clash against PSG.

Speaking after his side’s 4-1 Coupe de France win over Sochaux on Tuesday, Mbappe played down claims that the 33-year-old’s best years was behind him.

‘Ronaldo is not on the decline. If he is on the decline, there are many more players on the decline then,’ he said.

‘He is a great player. But we hope he will remain quiet against us.

‘We will prepare for the game by paying attention to all their strengths. And he is one of their strengths in the team.’

The first leg of the tie will be played in Madrid on 14 February.

-This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za