Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe has surpassed a goalscoring mark of the legendary duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi with a brace for France on Friday (October 13).
Mbappe – riding a four-game scoreless run with PSG across competitions – scored both goals in Les Bleus’ 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier. With the brace, the 24-year-old became France’s fourth highest goalscorer, surpassing the legendary Michel Platini (41).
Kylian Mbappe has reached the tally of 42 international goals at the age of 24 in his 72nd game. Messi reached the landmark at the age of 27 and in his 89th game for Argentina. Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored his 42nd goal for Portugal at the age of 28 and in his 106th outing.
However, Mbappe is neither the youngest nor the quickest to the mark in recent history. His former PSG teammate Neymar reached 42 international goals for Brazil at the age of just 22 and in his 59th game.
Meanwhile, with his brace against the Oranje, Mbappe now trails only Olivier Giroud (54), Thierry Henry (51) and Antoine Griezmann (44).
Kylian Mbappe remains perfect as France captain
Kylin Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe has had a decent season for PSG, scoring eight goals in nine games across competitions. Coming into the Netherlands game on Friday, though, the Frenchman was in the midst of one of his worst scoring droughts for club and country.
However, not only did he return to scoring ways – with goals in the seventh and 53rd minute – Mbappe won his sixth straight game as Les Bleus captain. In this span, the two-time world champions have scored 13 goals, with their captain contributing six of those strikes and assisting twice.
France are one of three sides – Portugal and Belgium being the others – to book their place in the European Championship finals in Germany next year. Mbappe will now look to get off the mark in the continental competition after drawing a blank in Euro 2020.
