Didier Deschamps informed the France squad on Monday evening that Kylian Mbappe will be the new captain, sources told ESPN.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who has 66 caps and 36 goals for France, is taking over the captaincy from Hugo Lloris who retired from international football after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Deschamps had a discussion with Mbappe on Monday at Clairefontaine, the France team training centre. He also spoke with Antoine Griezmann, who was the other candidate for the armband. 

The head coach had made his mind up already and announced the news to his squad on Monday evening.

Mbappe, 24, will become one of the youngest France captains ever and will follow in the footsteps of Lloris who kept the armband for 14 years from 2008 to 2022. Griezmann (117 caps, 42 goals) will be his vice-captain.

Deschamps said during his news conference on Monday that the main quality in his choice was “legitimacy” and that “the common interest will prevail.” Deschamps added that he could feel that Mbappe has stepped up in his leadership since the World Cup.

Mbappe, has already worn the armband for Les Bleus once, halfway through the game against Denmark in September, will start his new captaincy era on Friday against the Netherlands at the Stade de France in a qualifying match for the 2024 European Championship. 

They then visit Ireland in Dublin three days later.

Source - ESPN

- Agencies