Kylian Mbappe's best goals for France - ranked
By Max Parsons
Kylian Mbappe may have turned into a slightly divisive character in the footballing world in recent times but, whatever you think of the man, he is objectively a world-class footballer.
Complimenting his inherent penchant for flair, his blistering athleticism and his desire to be the best, is simply a fundamental gift - a talent that very few are born with.
Now regarded in some circles as the best baller on the face of the Earth, Mbappe lights up any stage he steps foot on, including the international one. Having played a massive role in his country's World Cup-winning campaign in 2018 as a teenager, the Frenchman is now comfortably the talismanic spark at the epicentre of a squad with glittering potential - and he has the stats to back it up.
At just 23 years of age, the Paris Saint-Germain forward has surpassed 60 caps and has already eclipsed the 30-goal mark for Les Bleus - the all-time scoring record is well within sight. Here, 90min takes a look at some of the French superstar's best strikes for his country... so far.
10. vs Kazakhstan - November 2021
While not strictly containing the most sublime of goals, Mbappe's performance in France's 8-0 win over Kazakhstan in November 2021 was one of those in which really announced himself as part of football's very top bracket.
A few months before scoring four against Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier, Mbappe missed the crucial spot kick in his nation's penalty-shootout EURO 2020 exit to Switzerland. After that, the enigmatic forward went on a spree in which he scored nine and assisted five in his subsequent five international appearances - one of which was against Kazakhstan.
What makes this well-taken header - viewable at 01:22 in the video above - so special is that it marked Mbappe's first international hat-trick, as well as a very clear turning point in his international career.
9. vs Russia - March 2018
By the age of 18, Mbappe was already becoming an integral component of Didier Deschamps' French side. He proved so three months prior to the 2018 World Cup with a brace against Russia.
The second of his goals against the Russians was a particular demonstration of the lightning football Mbappe specialises in. Skip to 00:39 in the video above to admire a now-typical cocktail of ferocious footwork and a fearsome finish from the Frenchman, who finds the back of the net via a nutmeg on Andrey Lunev.
8. vs Argentina - June 2018
As previously eluded to, the 2018 World Cup was the stage upon which Mbappe's stardom at international level was truly born.
After a goal in the group stage against Peru, France's round-of-16 bout with Argentina - a World Cup classic - was where Mbappe shone. A thoroughly electric showing from the then-teenage sensation was rounded off wonderfully by a beautifully taken brace, the first of which was especially stunning.
A split-second demonstration of the composure, class and clinical quality we now instinctively associate with Mbappe, his first against Argentina in France's memorable 4-3 victory was one he'll never forget.
7. vs Netherlands - August 2017
It's now over five years since Mbappe scored his first goal on the international stage. While it may not be his most stunning for France, it is certainly one of the most meaningful and one that typifies what France have based their recent success on.
Rounding off a 4-0 victory against the Netherlands, Les Bleus embarked upon a blistering counter attack led by a young Mbappe twisting and turning his opposition inside out.
Matching the electric build-up was a devastating finish, as Mbappe played a one-two with Djibril Sidibe before sweeping the ball into the bottom corner like a marksman well beyond his years - skip to 03:47 in the above video to witness Mbappe's first goal in his country's colours.
6. vs Sweden - September 2020
We're now very accustomed to the cheekiness, sparkling arrogance and clinical creativity that Mbappe laces his powerful performances with on a regular basis - few goals of his epitomise this as much as his Nations League strike against Sweden in September 2020.
The forward rode his luck as he evaded the attention of two defenders but thereafter showcased some glistening innovation. He bided his time as he approached the by-line, almost ran out of grass, and at the last moment snuck a perfectly weighted strike into the net via the goalkeeper's near post, hitting the opposite side's side-netting.
A perfect demonstration of his quality and of superior footballing mind, scroll to 00:45 in the video above to view a classically Mbappe goal.
5. vs Poland - December 2022
In much more recent memory, Mbappe dazzled in France's round-of-16 victory over Poland at the 2022 World Cup, scoring a beautiful brace in their 3-1 triumph.
Both goals were gorgeous, but the first was a particularly mesmerising balance of brute and finesse - even if he was afforded the freedom of Qatar to score.
Composedly shaping up to bend the ball around his defender, Mbappe thunders it into the near side's top corner, rippling the roof of the net and sealing his country's place in the next round. Skip to 01:02 in the video above to check it out.
4. vs Finland - November 2021
As mentioned previously, blistering forward moves have been a common theme of France's success in recent years; Mbappe produced a perfect example of this with a superb individual strike against Finland in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021.
Latching onto Lucas Digne's hopeful forward pass, the Frenchman lets the ball run across his body, humiliating his defender as he sprints into the space behind with the ball. Approaching the penalty area, Mbappe leaves no time for reactions as he takes an early curling effort from the corner of the box, seeing it sail past the goalkeeper and ripple perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.
Go to 01:30 above to have a look at that phenomenal goal.
3. vs Austria - September 2022
Mbappe is simply unstoppable and downright unplayable in full flow, as the Austrian defence came to find out during a 2-0 defeat to France in the Nations League in September 2022.
Leading yet another counter attack, Mbappe picks up Olivier Giroud's pass halfway into the Austrian half before bulldozing his way through a couple of challenges, evading the attention of three or four defenders, and absolutely thrashing the ball past the goalkeeper.
Skip to 02:38 above to see the moment the coruscating forward once again left jaws on the floor.
2. vs South Africa - March 2022
It isn't just pulsating power that Mbappe specialises in, of course. The PSG star has the touch and finesse that mere mortals can only dream of, allowing him to add deliciously calculated and exquisite strikes to his lengthy repertoire - as he did in March 2022 in a 5-0 friendly victory over South Africa.
Collecting an unclaimed cross from Antoine Griezmann right on the corner of the 18-yard box, Mbappe steadies himself before unleashing a glorious, curling, dipping strike that sails over the goalkeeper's reach and nestles perfectly into the top corner of the net, putting Les Bleus 1-0 up in the contest.
View the sensational demonstration of footballing artistry and technique in the opening seconds of the video above.
1. vs Croatia - July 2018
However many goals Mbappe nets for his country, however, there will likely only be one that tops his list.
Finding the back of the net against Croatia in the summer of 2018, Mbappe joined Pele as the only teenagers to score in a World Cup final to date. His 65th-minute effort put Les Bleus 4-1 ahead in the contest and effectively made sure of France's second world crown, doing so in style.
The goal was not simply significant, but quite glorious as well. At just 19 years of age, it looked as though time stood still for the Frenchman as he collected Lucas Hernandez's in-field pass, took note of his surroundings, and eventually released a rasping low drive from around 25 yards out into the bottom corner.