‘It’s crazy’ – Mbappe equals Henry’s France tally, aged 26

At the age of 26, France captain Kylian Mbappe called it “crazy” to equal Thierry Henry’s total of France goals.

The Real Madrid forward scored a brilliant solo effort in the 82nd minute to double France’s lead in Friday’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Ukraine, matching the legendary Arsenal legend’s 51 goals.

Olivier Giroud’s all-time France scoring record of 57 is now six goals behind the 26-year-old striker, who also scored for Arsenal and Chelsea.

Mbappe remarked, “I want to surpass Titi [Henry], but I want to.”

Everyone is aware of what a player like Henry means to French people, and even more so to strikers, and it’s an honor to have him as a partner. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the person who laid the ground.

At the age of 20, Henry was a member of the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, while Mbappe was only 19 when Les Bleus won the tournament in Russia in 2018.

Both players are behind Giroud’s 137 appearances on France’s list of most-capped players, with Mbappe currently receiving 90 and Henry’s 123 caps after wrapping up his international career.

France made it to the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the goal of defending their title.

Mbappe scored a hat-trick to send Argentina to the final, but his team lost to Lionel Messi.

Mbappe is now well on the right track to surpass Giroud, who retired from international football last year after France lost to Spain in the semi-finals of the European Championship.

Mbappe continued, “The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I think about.” “I’m not sure if it’s because I believe I can defeat it, or because I believe there are more crucial things to consider.”

“I like it, but reaching this milestone so quickly is crazy.” I want to keep going and, most importantly, to win titles and games.

Michael Olise’s goal in Didier Deschamps’ side’s opening game of Group D qualifying for the US, Mexico, and Canada gave them the lead after 10 minutes in the first of their group matches.