Diego Maradona 'told Real Madrid to sign Kylian Mbappe'

Diego Maradona has claimed that Real Madrid passed up the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe during the summer due to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.

Mbappe, 18, was strongly linked with a move to Madrid after helping fire Monaco to the Ligue 1 title last season.

Paris Saint-Germain eventually signed the teenager on loan with the view to a permanent deal, but Argentina legend Maradona has suggested that Los Blancos were in pole position at one point.

According to the 57-year-old, Madrid president Florentino Perez decided against signing the France international because of Ronaldo.

"For me, Mbappe is the revelation of football. I think he can surpass many," Maradona told AS.

"Why did they not sign him? I told Florentino to sign Mbappe. I told him when we saw each other at Fifa. He told me... 'but you know I have Cristiano'."

Mbappe has scored 10 times and registered seven assists in 21 appearances for PSG during the 2017-18 campaign.