Benin captain Steve Mounié has moved to within touching distance of becoming his country’s all-time leading goalscorer after netting his 23rd international goal during the recent FIFA international break.
The striker reached the milestone in a match against Guinea, surpassing the long-standing tally of 22 goals set by the late Razak Omotoyossi.
With that strike, Mounié is now just one goal shy of equalling the national record of 24 goals held by Stéphane Sessegnon.
The development marks a significant moment in Beninese football, as Mounié edges closer to rewriting the national record books while continuing to lead the team’s attack.
More than just a statistical achievement, his latest goal carried emotional weight.
In celebration, the forward paid tribute to Omotoyossi, who passed away in August 2025, by recreating the iconic number eight associated with the former striker.
The gesture was widely seen as a nod to a player regarded as both a mentor and a key figure in Benin’s football history.
Mounié’s rise to this point has been built on consistency and leadership.
As captain of the Benin national team, he has become a central figure in the squad, shouldering responsibility both on and off the pitch.
His goals have been crucial in maintaining the team’s competitive edge in recent years.
The 31-year-old forward currently plays club football in Turkey’s top division with Alanyaspor, where he is on loan from FC Augsburg.
His experience in European leagues has helped shape his development into one of Benin’s most reliable attacking options.
Mounié is no stranger to representing his country on major stages.
He was part of the Benin squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic achievement that remains one of the high points in the nation’s football journey.
Now, with the scoring record within reach, attention is turning to when, not if, he will match or surpass Sessegnon’s mark.
Given his continued presence in the national team and his importance to the squad, the opportunity to claim the record appears imminent.
