Barcelona icon sends a message to Real Madrid forward after national team milestone | OneFootball

France’s 2-0 win over Ukraine on Friday carried an extra sparkle for Kylian Mbappe. Captaining the team, the Real Madrid forward sealed the result with an 82nd-minute strike, which happened to be his 51st goal for Les Bleus.

Mbappe’s goal on the night meant he drew level with Barcelona and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as the nation’s joint-second highest scorer. Only Olivier Giroud, with 57 goals, sits ahead, a mark that now looks well within reach.

Thierry Henry’s message to Mbappe

In light of Mbappe’s achievement, Henry was quick to acknowledge the French captain with a warm post on Instagram.

The carousel featured a throwback of a young Mbappe posing with Henry, alongside images of both men kissing the World Cup.

“Bravo Monsieur. Made in INF Clairfontaine,” the caption read, which was a nod to France’s famed academy.

🔗 Instagram

Mbappe acknowledged Henry by liking the post as a gesture of goodwill between two of France’s most gifted attackers in recent times.

Shortly after the Ukraine game, Mbappe kept the focus on winning but didn’t hide what the milestone meant for him.

“A round of applause for Titi! But now I want to get over it! It’s an honour to match a player like him,” he said after the game.

“Everyone knows what he means to the French, and even more so to the forwards. He paved the way,” he added.

Mbappe will be looking to extend his tally further as France take on Iceland in their next game on September 9.

The French international is jus six goals behind Giroud – a milestone he will look to achieve by the time next year’s World Cup in the United States kicks off.