'We'll beat him' - Antonio Rudiger vows to 'smash' Kylian Mbappe if Real Madrid meet PSG in Champions League final as he weighs in on potential summer transfer for World Cup winner

The stage for this titanic European showdown could be set at Wembley on June 1, should Real Madrid overcome Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, and Paris Saint-Germain advance past Borussia Dortmund on the other side of the draw. This anticipated matchup not only promises a battle between two European giants but also holds the intrigue of pitting Mbappe against his prospective future club as the French striker is widely expected to make a move to the Spanish capital on a free transfer once his contract with PSG expires on June 30.

But Rudiger is in no mood to show mercy to his potential team-mate if their paths cross and told Le Media Carre: "If we face him in the final, we'll beat him. And if he passes [i.e. dribbles] me, I’ll smash him."

The German defender did, however, welcome the prospect of the 2018 World Cup winner joining the Spanish giants, as the club boasts of an illustrious history of attracting top talent.

“The best players in history have always come to Real Madrid. He’s one of the best players in the world, so it would be a good match," he said.

When questioned about the reports of Mbappe's imminent arrival, he added with a smirk: "Who says that he’s (Mbappe) coming, it’s not official."

Rudiger will be in action against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening in the first leg of Real's semi-final tie at Allianz Arena, whereas Mbappe will take the pitch a day later against Borussia Dortmund in Germany. The focus will shift to the possibility of a high-stakes encounter between the two players in the Champions League final on June 1 if both teams are able to overcome their German opponents at the last four stage of the competition.