Kylian Mbappe celebrated equalling Thierry Henry’s France goalscoring record and acknowledged the Arsenal legend’s profound influence on his career. Mbappe reached 51 goals for France in a 2-0 win against Ukraine, moving closer to Olivier Giroud’s all-time record. He expressed his admiration for Henry, emphasizing his desire to surpass the record while prioritizing team success. The victory places France in a strong position in their World Cup qualifying group, with Mbappe focused on future challenges and continuing to make history for Les Bleus.
Kylian Mbappe has paid tribute to Thierry Henry, acknowledging the Arsenal legend's influence on French football after equalling his international goalscoring record. Mbappe reached 51 goals for Les Bleus during France's 2-0 victory over Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier held in Poland on Friday. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar's achievement places him level with Henry, second only to Olivier Giroud (57 goals) in France's all-time scoring charts.
"Big up for Titi! But I want to go beyond it now," Mbappe exclaimed in a post-match interview with TF1. "It’s an honour to match a player like Thierry Henry. Everyone knows what he means to us French, even more so to the strikers. He is someone who paved the way. I have a lot of respect and admiration for him."
Mbappe's ascent to this milestone has been remarkably swift, achieving the feat in just 91 appearances compared to Henry's 123. His goal against Ukraine, which followed Michael Olise’s early opener, underscored his importance to the national team and highlighted his relentless pursuit of excellence.
"To reach this number so early is out of this world. I want to continue and, above all, win matches and titles," Mbappe added, emphasizing his ambition to surpass individual accolades with team success. "The record, it’s getting closer, it’s not something I’m thinking about. I don’t know if it’s because I think I can beat him or because I think there are more important things. But it’s true that being the top scorer in the history of the France team is not nothing."
51 – Kylian Mbappé has scored his 51st goal for France, equalling Thierry Henry as the second highest scorer ever of the team (57 for Olivier Giroud). Jefe. pic.twitter.com/OERcHgCYGR
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 5, 2025
The victory places France alongside Iceland with three points in Group D of the UEFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Mbappe lauded the team's performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by a determined Ukrainian side.
"The coach [Didier Deschamps] wanted us to start this qualifying phase well," Mbappe explained. "We are playing against a complicated team who give everything. We had a moment of hesitation in the second half, but we were generally in control. We had an ability to create chances, good movement, we created danger. We could have made the score worse for them, but it’s already a good start."
Looking ahead, Mbappe remains focused on contributing to France's success, both in qualifying for the World Cup and in future tournaments. His humility and respect for Henry, combined with his unwavering ambition, position him as a true leader for Les Bleus.
Mbappe's remarkable career trajectory continues to captivate football fans worldwide, and his pursuit of Olivier Giroud's goalscoring record promises to be a compelling narrative in the years to come. His latest achievement serves as a powerful reminder of his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport, solidifying his place among the game's elite.
Thierry Henry’s influence transcends mere statistics; he remains an icon, inspiring a generation of French players, including Mbappe. The mutual respect between the two strikers highlights the rich history and legacy of French football.
As Mbappe continues to chase records and titles, he carries the torch passed down by legends like Henry, ensuring that the future of French football remains bright. His focus on team success and his unwavering determination to improve serve as an example for aspiring footballers everywhere.
France's victory over Ukraine was a crucial step in their World Cup qualifying journey. Mbappe's performance not only secured the win but also underscored his leadership role within the team. With his sights set on future challenges, Mbappe is poised to continue making history for Les Bleus.