'I Want To Surpass Him': Mbappe Matches Henry, Targets France's Top Goalscorer Record

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 15:49 IST

Kylian Mbappé equals Thierry Henry on France’s scoring list after a stunning goal against Ukraine, aiming to surpass Olivier Giroud and lead Les Bleus to more victories and titles.

Kylian Mbappe has now equalled Thierry Henry as France's second-highest all-time goalscorer (X)

Kylian Mbappé etches his name alongside the likes of Thierry Henry on the country’s all-time scoring list, with a sensational strike in France’s 2-0 win against Ukraine on Friday.

He has all the respect for Titi, but at his heart, he knows he wants to beat the greats to be amongst the greats.

“Big up to Titi (Henry)! But now I want to surpass him! It’s an honour to equal a player like Henry," Mbappé, 26, told TF1.

“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."

Focus on Winning, Not Records

Mbappé now sits joint-second in France’s scoring charts, with only Olivier Giroud ahead of him on 57. Giroud retired from international football after Euro 2024, where France exited in the semi-finals against eventual champions Spain.

While Mbappé looks certain to surpass Giroud’s record, he insists personal achievements are not his priority.

“The record is getting closer, but it’s not something I think about," the France captain said.

“I don’t know if it’s because I think I can beat it, or because I think there are more important things. But it’s true that being the top scorer in the history of the French national team is no small feat."

He added: “Reaching this milestone so early is crazy, but I like it. I want to keep going and, above all, win games and titles."

Building a Legacy

Since making his senior debut in 2017, Mbappé has already delivered a 2018 World Cup triumph, the 2020–21 Nations League title, and a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final. Now captain of Les Bleus, he is seen as the natural heir to both Henry and Giroud’s legacies.

France will look to extend their perfect start to qualifying when they host Iceland at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

(with Reuters inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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News sports 'I Want To Surpass Him': Mbappe Matches Henry, Targets France's Top Goalscorer Record

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