Fri Oct 10 18:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**Mbappe Eyes Giroud’s France Scoring Record, But World Cup Qualification Takes Priority**
**Paris, France** – Kylian Mbappe is confident he will surpass Olivier Giroud’s all-time scoring record for France, but insists his focus remains on helping Les Bleus secure their place at the FIFA World Cup.
The Real Madrid superstar, currently with 52 goals in a remarkable international career, trails Giroud’s 57-goal benchmark by just five. He suggested the record could fall as early as Saturday’s (AEDT) match against Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes.
“I think I’m going to beat him, but when, I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow? Maybe it will take longer. It’s something that will come naturally,” Mbappe said. “It’s going to happen and I’ll be happy when it happens, and I’ll move on afterwards.”
France currently tops Group D with a perfect record after victories over Ukraine and Iceland during the previous international break, games in which Mbappe found the net in both matches.
Despite the looming record, Mbappe stressed the importance of the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. “The stakes are more important than me scoring goals.”
Mbappe’s participation in the Azerbaijan and Iceland fixtures was initially in doubt after he suffered a minor ankle injury during Real Madrid’s recent victory over Villarreal. However, he confirmed that he was cleared to play by the club.
“We talked with the club about it, and that [worry] has always existed because it is the clubs that pay for the players,” Mbappe explained. “Everything went well in Madrid, that was very clear. I have something in my ankle, but I said I wanted to play and there was no argument.”
Didier Deschamps will be hoping Mbappe can continue his goal-scoring form while securing valuable points for France in their quest to qualify for the World Cup. They face Azerbaijan on Saturday (AEDT) and Iceland next Tuesday (AEDT).
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