The time has come for the French team to go back to school. Two months after their elimination against Spain (1-2) in the semi-final of Euro 2024, the Blues are preparing to resume competition in the Nations League, with two matches scheduled during this international break: against Italy, Friday evening in Paris, and Belgium, next Monday in Lyon.
One of the big questions before these two meetings is how Didier Deschamps will animate his attacking sector. In Germany, the Tricolores struggled in this area, notably Kylian Mbappé. Also, the new Real Madrid striker, author of a double against Betis, will be expected to turn a corner against the Nazionale and the Red Devils.
Mbappé threatens Henry!
Beyond the result, another objective could well motivate the neo-Merengue. With his 48 goals scored in 84 selections, the captain of the Blues is not far from dislodging Thierry Henry in second place in the ranking of the best scorers in the history of the French team. He is only three goals short of overtaking “Titi” (51 goals in 123 selections).
If he doesn’t surpass it in September, Kylian Mbappé will undoubtedly do so later. It’s just a matter of time. Olivier Giroud’s record (57 goals in 137 caps) will also fall sooner or later, because the new Los Angeles FC striker retired from international football after Euro 2024. The future therefore belongs to the former PSG star. And to think that he’s only 25 years old…
The Top 10 best scorers of the French team
1. Olivier Giroud: 57 goals (137 caps)
2. Thierry Henry: 51 goals (123 caps)
3. Kylian Mbappé: 48 goals (84 caps)
4. Antoine Griezmann: 44 goals (135 caps)
5. Michel Platini: 41 goals (72 caps)
6. Karim Benzema: 37 goals (97 caps)
7. David Trezeguet: 34 goals (71 caps)
8. Zinedine Zidane: 31 goals (108 caps)
9. Just Fontaine: 30 goals (21 caps)
10. Jean-Pierre Papin: 30 goals (54 caps)
