By Martin Graham
Kylian Mbappe described it as “crazy” to have matched Thierry Henry’s tally of goals for France by the age of 26.
The Real Madrid striker struck a stunning individual finish in the 82nd minute of Friday’s qualifier, securing a 2-0 victory over Ukraine and moving onto 51 goals for his country. That figure brings him alongside the former Arsenal icon.
Henry closed his international career on 51 goals from 123 outings, while Mbappe already has 90 caps. Only Olivier Giroud sits ahead of both in France’s scoring chart, with 57 goals from 137 appearances.
Mbappe acknowledged his predecessor, saying: “Big up to Titi, but now I want to surpass him. It’s an honour to equal a player like Henry. He paved the way, and I respect and admire him a lot.”
Chasing Giroud’s all-time record
Giroud, who played for Arsenal and Chelsea, retired from the national team last year after France’s exit in the Euro semi-finals against Spain. His tally of 57 remains the highest for Les Bleus, but Mbappe is closing fast.
“Reaching this milestone so early is crazy, but I like it,” Mbappe reflected. “I want to keep going and, above all, win games and titles. The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I focus on.”
Mbappe has already experienced the pinnacle, lifting the World Cup in Russia in 2018 at 19 years old. Henry was 20 when he helped France to glory on home soil in 1998. Four years later, Mbappe came close to another triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final before Argentina prevailed on penalties.
France start qualifying with a win
In Kyiv, Didier Deschamps’ side opened their World Cup qualifying campaign in Group D with three points. Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise broke the deadlock inside 10 minutes.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele replaced Desire Doue at the interval, but he was forced off injured late on. His departure brought Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike onto the pitch, handing him his first senior cap.
