Kylian Mbappe matches Giroud as France's all-time top scorer in 2026

Kylian Mbappe equaled Olivier Giroud's record with his 57th goal for France in the World Cup opener against Senegal.

Mbappe's milestone goal Kylian Mbappe became France's joint record goalscorer after finding the net in the World Cup opener against Senegal. The Real Madrid striker matched Olivier Giroud's tally of 57 international goals at just 27 years old. This achievement came in his 99th appearance for Les Bleus. The goal also lifted his World Cup tally to 13, placing him just three behind Germany's Miroslav Klose, who holds the tournament record with 16. ## Giroud's tribute to Mbappe Olivier Giroud, France's former record scorer, congratulated Mbappe during the broadcast of the Senegal match. 'Congratulations Kylian,' Giroud said as a pundit. 'I'm happy for him. It's a great finish and we are level now, you need to score another one Kylian.' Giroud added that Mbappe's feat was expected and predicted he could surpass 100 goals and even Klose's World Cup record. 'He will beat every single record - the number of caps and goals. He's delivered great performances in World Cups and big games.' ## Mbappe's World Cup impact Mbappe's 13 World Cup goals place him among the tournament's all-time greats. Only three players have scored more in World Cup history: Miroslav Klose with 16, Ronaldo with 15, and Gerd Muller with 14. France's forward has been a consistent performer in global tournaments, winning the young player award in 2018 and scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final. ## Expert praise for Mbappe French football expert Julien Laurens believes Mbappe will end his career as France's greatest 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 said. 'After that it is Mbappe ahead of Thierry Henry, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and others. Even the ones from the old generation like Raymond Kopa.' He highlighted Mbappe's leadership as captain and his World Cup triumph in 2018 and final hat-trick in 2022. 'I predict him to be the number one by the end of his career. He has at least one more World Cup after this and the Euros to play in so he will probably become the greatest player we have ever had.' ## Mbappe's early career milestones Kylian Mbappe made his international debut in March 2017 and scored his first goal in his fourth appearance during a 4-0 World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands. On the same day, Paris St-Germain agreed a season-long loan deal to sign the 18-year-old from Monaco, with an option to buy for £165.7m. PSG activated the option, making Mbappe the most expensive teenager in football history. By then, he was already a national hero after leading France to World Cup glory in 2018. ## Rise to prominence in 2018 and 2022 Mbappe played a pivotal role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph, becoming the youngest French player to score in a World Cup and the second teenager after Pele to find the net in a final. He finished as joint second top scorer in Russia and won the young player of the tournament award. By the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was France's talisman, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, though France lost on penalties to Lionel Messi's side. ## The birth of Project Mbappe The concept of 'Project Mbappe' emerged from the striker's ambition to reach the top of global football. Childhood friend Rayan Viyanga recalled Kylian's singular focus: 'Kylian was just school and football. School, football, home.' Born in Bondy, a Paris suburb, in 1998, he grew up in a footballing family. His father Wilfried was a player turned coach at AS Bondy, where Kylian honed his skills. Viyanga noted his early maturity: 'He was advanced for his age group and wanted to play with the best. That was a strict rule of his, to play with the best.' ## Family influence and early idols Mbappe's mother, Fayza Lamari, was a professional handball player, shaping his competitive drive. From a young age, he idolized Cristiano Ronaldo and studied footage of Zinedine Zidane. His adopted brother, Jires Kembo Ekoko, had trained at Clairefontaine and later played in Ligue 1 for Rennes, serving as an early inspiration. French football expert Matt Spiro recalled Mbappe's early struggles at Clairefontaine but noted his rapid progress: 'Mbappe initially found it a bit difficult at Clairefontaine. He was there for two years and during the first year, he certainly wasn't the best in his group.' ## Early career breakthroughs Europe's biggest clubs tracked Mbappe from age 10, when Nike provided him with free boots. He left Paris for Monaco at 14, despite interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid. The Mbappe family insisted he remain in France during his teenage years. At 16 years and 347 days, he became Monaco's youngest player, breaking a record set by Thierry Henry in 1994. Three months later, he broke another Henry record by scoring his first senior goal for the club. ## Mbappe's leadership evolution Soon after joining Monaco, Mbappe and his teammates were tasked with designing a magazine cover featuring themselves. He chose a bold headline: 'El Maestro' or 'The Master.' Within four years, he led France to World Cup glory in Russia and joined Pele as the only teenagers to score in a World Cup final. His ability to envision long-term success inspired the term 'Project Mbappe,' which gained viral traction on social media. The concept reflected the structured plans his family implemented to nurture his talent. ## From ambition to captaincy Mbappe became the most expensive teenager in the world in 2017 when he joined PSG instead of Real Madrid. The Spanish club waited seven years to sign him. His early career was marked by intense focus and drive, which former PSG performance director Martin Buccheit described as necessary for success. 'Ego is a necessary drive for success,' Buccheit said. 'But it's more about having a hand on the dial to control it. Kylian didn't always have the hand on the dial. But for sure the family, the mum and the parents were really behind him.' ## Future aspirations for Mbappe Mbappe was named France captain by Didier Deschamps in 2023 but remains without a Champions League winners' medal or a Ballon d'Or. Julien Laurens believes these achievements are within reach. 'He is a very self-centred guy, but once he got the armband he knew he had to be a proper leader,' Laurens said. 'Not only for his goals and assists, but I would be very surprised if he ends his career without winning the Ballon d'Or and at least one Champions League.' He predicted Mbappe's trophy haul would surpass Zidane's and Platini's, including the goalscoring record.