'Mbappe is the greatest striker in the history of the French national team'

Legend Jean-Pierre Papin asserts that Kylian Mbappe is the greatest striker in the history of the French national team, as the Real Madrid star closes in on Olivier Giroud's goal-scoring record.

Kylian Mbappe continues to receive praise at the highest level, as legend Jean-Pierre Papin affirms that the striker currently with Real Madrid is the greatest scorer in the history of the French national team.

Mbappe's impressive form for Les Bleus is bringing him close to a historic milestone. After scoring in the 2-1 victory over Brazil, the captain of the French team has increased his total goals to 56 in 95 appearances. This achievement leaves him just one goal short of Olivier Giroud's all-time scoring record. Giroud previously concluded his international career in 2024 with 137 matches, leaving a milestone that seemed difficult to surpass.

Not only standing out in numbers, Mbappe has also made a significant mark in major tournaments. He was a key figure in helping France win the 2018 World Cup and continued to feature in the 2022 final, where he scored a memorable hat-trick against Argentina. Those contributions led Papin, the 1991 Ballon d'Or winner, to make a strong statement without hesitation. “I think at this moment, he is the greatest striker in the history of the French national team. And I believe Mbappe can reach even higher levels,” he shared.

It is noteworthy that Mbappe has not yet won the Ballon d'Or, the most prestigious individual award that Papin once held. However, the French legend believes the value of the collective titles Mbappe has achieved is even more precious. “If I had to choose, I might exchange the Ballon d'Or for a major title with the national team. I never won the World Cup, and that is something I always regret,” Papin admitted.

At 27 years old, Mbappe still has a long journey ahead to continue breaking records. With consistent performance for both Real Madrid and the national team, it is only a matter of time before he equals, or even surpasses, Giroud's milestone. In the eyes of many experts, the title of “the greatest in history” that Papin bestowed upon Mbappe is becoming increasingly convincing, as this striker continually improves himself and maintains his influence at the highest level.