By Francis Onyach - Reporter
November, 14 2025 - Kylian Mbappe reached his 400th career goal after netting a brace against Ukraine in France’s World Cup qualifier, but expressed that, amid legends with much higher records, this milestone is not enough for him.
The Real Madrid forward directly mentioned his idol and club legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s pursuit of 1,000 goals and indicated his ambition to chase similarly “unreal” figures in his own career.
Mbappe’s Statement on 400 Goals
Mbappe made clear that, in his view, scoring 400 goals is significant but not special, given the standards set by football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, reportedly saying: “Now, 400... it doesn't impress people. If you want to be in this circle that shocks people, you have to score another 400!”.
He continued, expressing admiration for Ronaldo’s record: “Cristiano Ronaldo's 1,000 goals? That is unreal. But let's try the unreal. We have to try it, we only have one career.”
Referenced legends compared to Mbappe:
- Cristiano Ronaldo is currently approaching 1,000 career goals, with more than 950 scored so far.
- Lionel Messi has over 900 goals, setting a similarly high benchmark for any attacker.
- Mbappe reached 400 goals at age 26, making him the youngest since Pelé to hit this milestone.
Goals by Competition and Club
- Ligue 1: 191 goals
- Champions League: 60 goals
- LaLiga: 44 goals
- Coupe de France: 37 goals
- Mbappe’s international tally for France stands at 55, just behind Olivier Giroud’s 57, and is in line to become France’s national team top scorer.
Mbappe’s comments reflect his desire to push football’s limits, aiming not just for personal milestones but to reach numbers that “shock people.” He places his achievement within a historical context, noting that true greatness requires beating current records and pursuing legendary status.
His reaction to his 400th goal showcases both respect for football’s icons and a relentless ambition to surpass them. Citing Ronaldo’s record directly, he clearly states his long-term aim is to achieve the kind of numbers that truly redefine greatness in football.
