An interesting side story to France’s 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland this week was the possibility of Kylian Mbappe becoming his nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.

In the event, it was his team-mate Michael Olise who stole the headlines, grabbing an impressive hat-trick as Les Bleus concluded their preparation for the forthcoming World Cup with a straightforward win.

On the night, Mbappe missed numerous chances, and even had an effort ruled out when Desire Doue strayed offside in the build-up. The striker’s frustration was evident on seeing the raised flag. Clearly he was determined to match – or even surpass – Olivier Giroud’s tally of 57 international goals prior to the competition commencing, so as to focus solely on France claiming the big prize this summer.

Perfect synchronicity

As it is, Mbappe remains on 56 goals, a lofty haul attained via 98 appearances for France and what this now presents is the intriguing prospect of the Real Madrid star establishing himself as his country’s deadliest ever marksman against Iraq, on 22 June, to commemorate his 100th cap.

After all, the great players always possess an immaculate sense of timing.

For this synchronicity to occur, the 27-year-old must of course convert in each of France’s opening two games, or fire a brace against the Lions of Mesopotamia, and such a feat is well within the realms for a player nominated eight times for a Ballon d’Or, as well as winning the Kopa Trophy in 2018.

At the last World Cup, in Qatar, Mbappe scored three times in France’s opening two fixtures, on route to securing the Golden Boot, in part courtesy of a hat-trick in the final.

For Los Blancos in 2025/25 the forward registered 42 goals in 44 outings, 15 of them converted in the Champions League.

Dream partnership for club and country?

While Mbappe has the distraction of potentially making history across the Atlantic, his international colleague Olise is currently the subject of overtures from Real Madrid, who wish to pair the prolific pair up at the Bernabeu next term.

After being re-elected as club president this week Florentino Pérez made two promises, the first being that Los Blancos would continue to win silverware on a regular basis. The second pledge was much more tantalizing, that Real would sign a ‘Galactico’ this summer, breaking the club’s transfer record in the process.

According to numerous accounts, it is Olise who Pérez has locked eyes on, a player who enjoyed a stellar, stand-out campaign in 2025/26, boasting 53 goal involvements in the Bundesliga and beyond for Bayern.

A fee north of €150m has been mooted in some quarters.

So, could both French superstars wreak havoc upon La Liga next season, in one of the most devastating attacking combinations in recent memory? Not according to Bayern President Herbert Hainer they won’t, the former CEO of Adidas-Group responding to the rumours with short shrift.

"Michael Olise is a Bayern Munich player who still has a long-term contract -- and we are not a club that sells players.”