Thierry Henry broke Michel Platini’s French national team scoring record, netting both goals in a 2-0 victory over Lithuania in a European Championship qualifier.
Henry scored in the 79th and 80th minutes to give him 43 goals in 96 international appearances, to eclipse Platini who scored 41 goals in 72 games for France from 1976-87.
“It really pleases me, especially as they are important goals,” said Henry, who made his debut for France in 1997. “It’s beyond me.”
“It was not easy tonight. At one time, we thought it was not our night but we kept pushing hard and we were eventually rewarded for it.
“I had told myself that if I were to score, I would fully celebrate the record,” the Barcelona striker added.
“But now we still have to qualify. This is the goal we must not forget.”
“I thought of my father (when I scored). He is not well at the moment. Without him, I would not be here. I will give this jersey to him.”
Henry was a member of the team that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, scoring three goals, and also won the European Championship title two years later.
“We can say we had the chance to play with Zinedine Zidane, now we can say we play with Henry, who has a special place in French soccer history,” said goalkeeper Mickael Landreau.
“With him, we always know something is going to happen. He now is among the greats, among the great forwards,” said France coach Raymond Domenech.
France lead Group B with 25 points, one ahead of Scotland who lost 2-0 at Georgia. Italy lie third with 23 points and a game in hand although their penultimate match is away to Scotland on November 17.
