In Paris Saint-stunning Germain’s Coupe de France victory over fourth-tier Vannes OC on Monday, Kylian Mbappe rang in the new year with a couple of major career milestones.
Mbappe, who leads the Ligue 1 giants, scored a hat trick in just 17 second-half minutes, ensuring PSG’s qualification for the round of 16 for the 20th time in the past 21 seasons.
Midway through the first half, Presnel Kimpembe put the Parisians ahead, but Mbappe sealed the victory with a quick-fire treble between the 59th and 76th minutes.
Mbappe, who turned 23 last month, scored his 150th goal for PSG in just 196 games at the Stade de la Rabine. That achievement comes just weeks after his brace against old club Monaco last month, which featured his 100th Ligue 1 goal for PSG since making his debut in a 5-1 win at Metz on Sept. 8, 2017.
Here’s a breakdown of his PSG totals by competition:
Ligue 1: 100
Champions League: 25
Coupe de France: 22
Coupe de la Ligue: 2
Trophee des Champions: 1
Total: 150
Mbappe’s seventh hat trick for PSG also put the teenage striker past a double century of goals for club and country, with 150 goals for PSG, 27 goals for Monaco, and 24 goals for France for a total of 201 goals in his career.
The following is a breakdown of his totals for Monaco and France:
Monaco (debut Dec. 2, 2015)
Ligue 1: 16
Champions League: 6
Coupe de France: 2
Coupe de la Ligue: 3
Trophee des Champions: 0
Total: 27
France (debut March 25, 2017)
World Cup: 4
World Cup qual.: 6
European Championship: 0
European Championship qual.: 3
Nations League: 5
Friendly: 6
Total: 24
Despite his youth, Mbappe is Paris Saint-third-highest Germain’s goal scorer of all time, trailing only Zlatan Ibrahimovic for second place on the list by six goals.
During Ibrahimovic’s time in Paris, he scored 156 goals in 180 games, which means Mbappe will almost probably surpass the Swede’s total before the season’s end.
Edinson Cavani remains PSG’s all-time leading goal scorer with 200 goals in 301 games before leaving to join Manchester United, but if Mbappe keeps up his current prolific scoring rate — six goals in his last three games and seven of PSG’s last ten goals in all competitions — there’s a chance he’ll overtake his former teammate.
Mbappe said after the game, after claiming the match ball, “These 150 goals are a source of pride.” “It’s always a pleasure to score so many goals for such a prestigious team.” The margin between the top scorers and the rest of the field is closing.
“I’m fortunate to be surrounded by great players, and I’m aware that Ibrahimovic is not far away.” But the most essential thing is to qualify and prepare well for the upcoming difficulties.”
PSG will, of course, be quite concerned about the “next challenges.” Mbappe’s contract expires at the end of the season, so he may begin talks with overseas clubs immediately and sign a free transfer agreement in the summer.
According to reports, Real Madrid is attempting to recruit Mbappe (together with Erling Haaland) next summer in order to capitalize on Barcelona’s financial difficulties by landing the two most sought-after players in the world.
Real failed in their attempt to get Mbappe for €200 million during the summer transfer window, but the France international is set to sign a free agency contract with the Bernabeu in July.
So PSG should be rejoicing at every goal Mbappe scores for the remainder of the season, because each one could be his final for the club.
