Record broken, respect remains
Olivier Giroud reflected on the moment his France goal scoring record was surpassed by Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe reached 58 goals for Les Bleus after scoring against Senegal, moving past Giroud to become France all time top scorer.
Giroud said he messaged Mbappe right after the match. He congratulated him and expressed happiness for his achievement. He also joked about keeping the competition alive and reminded Mbappe about a promised shirt exchange.
Mbappe acknowledged the message through a member of the coaching staff and said he would call Giroud soon.
A shared promise and mutual admiration
Giroud mentioned that Mbappe had already promised to give him the shirt he wore when he broke the record. He plans to ask again when they speak.
Despite the rivalry on paper, Giroud emphasized there is strong respect between them. He said people often ask about their relationship, but the answer is simple. They share genuine admiration.
The celebration that says it all
Giroud pointed to a celebration photo from the 2022 World Cup match against Poland as the best reflection of their bond.
In that match, Mbappe provided the assist for Giroud’s goal. Giroud scored, then celebrated with a knee slide toward the corner flag. Mbappe ran to him and jumped into his arms.
Giroud recalled telling Mbappe that he loved him like a brother in that moment. He described it as a special memory that showed their connection beyond football.
Passing the legacy forward
Giroud said it feels meaningful that Mbappe now sits above him in France scoring history. He also noted that his name remains between Mbappe and Thierry Henry on the all time list, which he views with pride.
He ended with a simple thought. Records change, but respect between players stays.
