Kylian Mbappé netted a brace to help France defeat Ukraine 4-0, which booked Les Bleus a place at the World Cup next summer. The other goals were scored by Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool.
Mbappé has broken many records in his career. He has scored the most goals in a debut season for Real Madrid with 42. The Frenchman has also won the Ligue 1 Player of the Season award more than anyone, with five.
Now Mbappé can add any record to his glittering career. He is the youngest player in the 21st century to reach 400 career goals. Mbappé appears to know why people are not talking about it. He told TF1, "Now, 400... it doesn't impress people. If you want to be in this circle that shocks people, you have to score another 400! Cristiano Ronaldo's 1000 goals? That is unreal. But let's try the unreal. We have to try it; we only have one career."
Can Kylian Mbappé score more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo has not yet reached 1000 goals; he is currently on 956. However, given the form he is still in for Al-Nassr and Portugal, the former Real Madrid player will no doubt reach his target of 1000. Ronaldo is now 40, so he is in the latter stages of his career. Whilst Mbappé is only 26. If Mbappé can have such a long and prolific career as Ronaldo, then he may even surpass his idol.
Whilst Mbappé was breaking records with France, Ronaldo was sent off as Portugal lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland. Despite the loss, Portugal is still top of their World Cup qualifying group and should seal their place at next summer's tournament with a victory over Armenia this Sunday.
Ronaldo is yet to win a World Cup, whilst Mbappé already lifted soccer's ultimate prize back in 2018. The 2026 World Cup is set to be Ronaldo's last opportunity at the tournament. Mbappé got France to the final in 2022, where he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.
Unfortunately, Mbappé's efforts against La Albiceleste were not enough as his France side lost on penalties. The Frenchman could still win multiple World Cups in his career. If he can emulate Ronaldo's goal tally too, then he could be regarded as up there with Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Pelé, and Diego Maradona as the greatest soccer player of all time.