Mbappe scored twice in the 4-0 win over Ukraine, with a Panenka penalty and another goal, the third for the national team, which saw him reach 400 in his career between those scored with Monaco (27 in 60 games), PSG (256 in 308), Real Madrid (62 in 75) and Les Bleus (55 in 94 games). He also surpasses strikers such as Harry Kane (30 years and 274 days), Karim Benzema (34 years and four days) or Thierry Henry (36 years and 30 days).
Kylian reached the figure at the age of 26 years and 328 days, Messi did it at 27 years and 95 days and Cristiano Ronaldo at 28 years and 335 days. France has undoubtedly been the best medicine for Kylian, who with Real Madrid saw his spectacular run cut short after failing to score against Liverpool in the Champions League and in the last LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano.
Mbappe continues to make history with France and is already within reach of the top scorer in the history of Les Bleus, Olivier Giroud. The former player hung up his boots with his country with 57 goals in 137 games, while Mbappe is already two goals away, but has also achieved them in 94 games.
The striker downplays this figure and looks up to Cristiano, one of his idols. “400 doesn’t impress people, if you want to be in that circle that impresses people, you have to score 400 more. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 1000 goals? It’s unreal. But let’s try the unreal, you have to try, you only have one career,” he said at the end of the game.
A joy for a difficult night
Mbappe admitted that the players were on the pitch but with their minds on the tributes for the tenth anniversary of the Bataclan attacks. The striker hopes that this victory has at least served to make a tough day for the French and especially for the families of the victims. “We had to be very sensible and make it clear that the most important thing was the commemoration. We wanted to show that we feel identified, that we feel like citizens. What has happened is absolutely sad, we feel compassion for those who have suffered and we want to be all together.”
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