France captain Kylian Mbappé became the national team’s all-time leading goal scorer during the squad’s opening World Cup victory this week.
The team celebrated Mbappé after he surpassed the previous record held by Olivier Giroud. Holding up a blue jersey with the number 58, Mbappé was honored by teammates and staff at a team event marking the milestone. The ceremony took place against a backdrop displaying the FIFA World Cup trophy and tournament branding, as France begins its campaign running from June 11 to July 19.
Speaking after the opening match, Mbappé addressed the team’s performance. He said France had initial difficulty finding rhythm in the first half but improved through physical and technical progress after halftime. The captain credited the second-half adjustments for securing the win, noting that the squad’s ability to adapt was key to taking three points. Match details and the opponent were not specified in the team debrief.
Mbappé also shared a personal gesture tied to the tournament’s start. He arranged for pizzas to be gifted to residents of his home village, Aja, in the Dordogne region.
The captain said the initiative was meant to celebrate the World Cup beginning and to maintain a connection with the community where he grew up.