Kylian Mbappe matches Olivier Giroud as France’s record goalscorer
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has equalled Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading goalscorer by netting his 57th international goal during a World Cup group match against Senegal.
The 27-year-old struck in his country’s tournament opener to cement his place among the elite pantheon of French attackers.
He now shares the prestigious milestone with Giroud, achieving the feat in just 99 appearances for the national team.
Giroud backs successor to shatter records
The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker, whose record has just been matched, was quick to praise the achievement.
“Congratulations Kylian. I’m happy for him. It’s a great finish and we are level now, you need to score another one Kylian.”
Giroud shared his thoughts while working as a pundit for BBC One.
The veteran forward believes it is only a matter of time before the Les Bleus captain claims the outright lead.
“It makes sense, it was expected. He will beat every single record – the number of caps and goals.”
He also tipped his former team-mate to surpass Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals.
Closing in on World Cup history
The strike against Senegal takes the French captain’s total World Cup tally to 13 goals.
He currently sits just three goals behind former Germany international Klose.
French football expert Julien Laurens believes the prolific forward is destined to be remembered as the nation’s finest ever player.
“There is still a lot more to come from him but if we are to stop it right now, Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini certainly remain the top two French players of all time.”
Laurens predicts a gradual shift in the historical hierarchy as tournament play continues.
“After that it is Mbappe ahead of Thierry Henry, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and others. I predict him to be the number one by the end of his career.”
A remarkable international journey
The lightning-fast attacker made his senior international debut in March 2017.
He opened his account for the national side in a World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands later that year.
This early milestone coincided with his monumental £165.7m transfer from Monaco to Paris St-Germain.
Since then, the superstar has spearheaded his nation to global glory in 2018 and famously scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final.
