Kylian Mbappe’s latest World Cup masterclass was about more than just two goals. It was another reminder that the France captain is rapidly rewriting the history books and strengthening his claim to become the greatest French footballer of all time.
The Real Madrid superstar scored twice in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal, taking his international tally to 58 goals and surpassing Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer.
Remarkably, Mbappe has achieved the feat at just 27 years old and in only 99 appearances for Les Bleus.
His latest goals also moved him onto 14 World Cup goals, leaving him just two behind Germany legend Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament record of 16.
Giroud, who previously held the French goalscoring record, believes Mbappe is destined to break every major mark in the national team’s history.
“Congratulations Kylian,” Giroud said after the match.
“It makes sense, it was expected. He will beat every single record – the number of caps and goals.”
“I think he can easily reach 100 goals and maybe beat Miroslav Klose’s World Cup record. He’s delivered great performances in World Cups and big games.”
For many observers, Mbappe’s rise to the top has felt inevitable.
Since making his France debut in 2017, the forward has consistently delivered on the biggest stages. He played a crucial role in France’s World Cup triumph in 2018, becoming only the second teenager after Pele to score in a World Cup final.
Four years later, he produced one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history by scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final against Argentina, although France ultimately lost on penalties.
Now, as captain of his country, he is leading a new generation while continuing to shatter records.
Mbappe’s journey to football superstardom was carefully planned from an early age.
Born in Bondy, a suburb of Paris, in 1998, he was raised in a family deeply connected to sport. His father Wilfried was a football coach, while his mother Fayza Lamari was a professional handball player.
From childhood, Mbappe’s ambitions stretched beyond ordinary expectations.
As a youngster he decorated his bedroom with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo and dreamed of following the Portuguese star to the pinnacle of world football.
His talent quickly became impossible to ignore.
After emerging through the ranks at Monaco, he became the most expensive teenager in football history when Paris Saint-Germain signed him in 2017. The move launched him onto the global stage, but it was his performances for France that transformed him into a national icon.
Today, Mbappe stands as the face of French football.
Yet despite winning a World Cup, numerous domestic titles and becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer, there is still a sense that his story is unfinished.
He has yet to win the Ballon d’Or and is still chasing a first UEFA Champions League title.
Those goals remain firmly on his agenda.
For now, however, France can celebrate having a player who continues to redefine what is possible.
At just 27, Mbappe already owns the national scoring record. With at least one more World Cup and several major tournaments likely still ahead of him, there is every chance the best chapters of his remarkable career have yet to be written.
