Kylian Mbappé eyes record-breaking feat against Colombia: “I always want to play”

Kylian Mbappé was unstoppable against Brazil. The Real Madrid forward relishes wearing his national team jersey and, after a standout performance against the reigning world champions, pointed out that these kinds of friendlies offer a clear indication of the level France can reach at the World Cup.

“We knew that against Brazil it wasn’t just a friendly, there was a lot of respect and it was a good test to assess our level, both technically and tactically,” he said in the official broadcast.

Mbappé also made it clear that his priority is always to contribute on the field. Against Brazil, he scored a stunning goal that brings him closer to a historic milestone with the national team. “I’m happy to be here, all I want is to be on the field all the time, to play – it’s a pleasure, as I said.”

Finally, the 27-year-old forward said he is ready for the next challenge, with Colombia up next. He noted there will be discussions with the coaching staff before the game but emphasized his willingness to play. “We’ll see, we’ll talk with the coach, but if he puts me on the field, I’ll be ready to play – I always want to play.”

Mbappé closing in on France record

With his goal against Brazil, Mbappé reached 56 international goals, leaving him just one shy of Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time leading scorer. While it has long seemed inevitable that he would surpass that mark, he now has the chance to do so as early as Sunday against Colombia.

Mbappé is already familiar with the South American side, having faced Colombia ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when Colombia secured a 3–2 win. The forward impressed in the first half of that game but was unable to find the net against David Ospina. Now, with a second meeting approaching, the Real Madrid star will be aiming to match or surpass Giroud’s record.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.