Kylian Mbappe said drawing level with Thierry Henry as France’s all-time second top goalscorer at the age of 26 is “crazy”.
The France captain and Real Madrid star moved level with the Arsenal legend on 51 international goals as he scored a brilliant solo effort to secure a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in World Cup qualifying on Friday.
Mbappe is now six goals off current top scorer Olivier Giroud’s record of 57, with the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker announcing his retirement from international football last year.
“Big up to Titi [Henry], but now I want to surpass him,” said Mbappe.
“The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I think about,” Mbappe added. “I don’t know if it’s because I think I can beat it, or because I think there are more important things.
“Reaching this milestone so early is crazy, but I like it. I want to keep going and, above all, win games and titles.”
Henry was part of the France team who won the World Cup in 1998 when he was just 20, while Mbappe was just 19 when he helped Les Bleus triumph at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Both are behind Giroud’s 137 appearances in France’s list of most capped players, with Henry ending his international career with 123 caps and Mbappe currently on 90.
France were aiming to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar in 2022 but, despite Mbappe’s hat-trick in the final, they were beaten by Argentina on penalties.
Michael Olise scored France’s first goal against Ukraine on Friday night in what was their first game of World Cup qualifying, having participated in the Nations League finals earlier this year.
France all-time international goals
- Olivier Giroud – 57 goals in 137 caps (2011–2024)
- Kylian Mbappé – 51 goals in 89 caps (2017–present)
- Thierry Henry – 51 goals in 123 caps (1997–2010)
- Antoine Griezmann – 44 goals in 137 caps (2014–2024)
- Michel Platini – 41 goals in 72 caps (1976–1987)
- Karim Benzema – 37 goals in 97 caps (2007–2022)
- David Trezeguet – 34 goals in 71 caps (1998–2008)
- Zinedine Zidane – 31 goals in 108 caps (1994–2006)
- Just Fontaine – 30 goals in 21 caps (1953–1960)
- Jean-Pierre Papin – 26 goals in 56 caps (1986–1995)
