Kylian Mbappe celebrated becoming France’s all-time leading scorer in the win over Senegal but switched up his usual celebration by celebrating with a flute gesture.
The forward had promised James Corden he would do the celebration if he found the net in France’s Group I opener.
Who is making it out of the group of death? 😬
How many points will they need to get out?
Rather than his usual arms-folded pose, Mbappe mimed playing the flute, a nod to a recent Carpool Karaoke appearance where he revealed he learned the instrument as a child.
Kylian Mbappe delivers on promise after scoring for France
The celebration came after Corden suggested Mbappe should bring the flute into his World Cup routine.
Mbappe agreed before the tournament, saying that if he scored against Senegal, he would do it for him, he said: “The first match against Senegal, if I score, I will do it, for you.”
It gave France a memorable image from their opening game in North America, with Mbappe again at the centre of the story.
Mbappe equals Olivier Giroud record for France
The goal came with real significance beyond the celebration.
The strike drew him level with Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading scorer, with both players on 57 goals.
Mbappe reached that milestone much faster than Giroud, highlighting his impact on the national team before turning 28.
He started the tournament with 56 goals in 96 appearances, needing just one more to match the record before adding a second in the 96th minute.
That tally moves him closer to Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16.
The celebration will be remembered, but the record matters more
The flute celebration will travel quickly because it was unexpected and easy to replay.
But the more important detail is that Mbappe has now surpassed the level of Giroud in France’s scoring history.
For a player already central to France’s 2018 triumph and 2022 final run, the 2026 tournament has begun with another landmark.
Mbappe gave the cameras their moment, but he also gave France exactly what they need from him at another World Cup.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
