Kylian Mbappe says he wants to surpass Thierry Henry’s goal-scoring tally for France after tying with him with a goal against Ukraine on Friday.
The Real Madrid forward scored the second goal in France’s 2-0 win at the Stadion Miejski, his 51st goal for his country.
The goal ties Henry’s tally for his country, with Mbappe reaching that number at the age of 26.
Mbappe told French television channel TF1: “Big up to Titi (Henry). But now I want to surpass him. It’s an honour to equal a player like Henry.
“Everyone knows what he means to us French people, even more so to strikers. He’s someone who paved the way, and I have a lot of respect and admiration for him.
“Reaching this milestone so early is crazy, but I like it. I want to keep going and, above all, win games and titles.”
Mbappe scored France’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Ukraine on Friday. (Photo: Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)
Mbappe’s goal in the 82nd minute, coming after Michael Olise’s opener, now sees him six goals behind France’s all-time leading scorer, Oliver Giroud who has scored 57 goals for his country.
Giroud, 38, announced his retirement from international football in July 2024. Henry scored 51 goals in 123 games for his country, while Mbappe’s 51 goals came in 33 fewer games.
When asked about the possibility of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer, Mbappe, who was named France captain in March 2023, said: “The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I think about.
“I don’t know if it’s because I think I can beat it, or because I think there are more important things.”
France are next in action in a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
(Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)