'Kylian Mbappe wanted France captaincy more than Antoine Griezmann' – Inside Europe on Didier Deschamps call
Published 21/03/2023 at 17:54 GMT
Kylian Mbappe is the new France captain aged 24, with the PSG forward set to lead his country out for the first time against the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday night. But has Didier Deschamps made the right decision? Or was another man, Antoine Griezmann, a better shout for the armband? We caught up with Eurosport’s French football expert Maxime Dupuis to get the inside scoop.
No Rashford as injury hit England prepare for Italy qualfier
Fresh from becoming the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final – and the first on the losing team after penalty shootout heartbreak to Argentina in Qatar – Kylian Mbappe has been named the new France captain ahead of Antoine Griezmann.
The armband was vacant after Hugo Lloris retired from international duty in January, having captained the side to victory at Russia 2018 and the final four years later. Expected replacement Raphael Varane swiftly followed that with his own retirement statement aged just 29, leaving Deschamps searching for a new leader on the pitch. On Tuesday, he confirmed that man would be Mbappe.
"Kylian Mbappe is the new France captain. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain," he told French outlet Telefoot. "Kylian ticks all the boxes to have this responsibility. On the pitch as well as within the squad, by being a key element."
Michel Platini has called the move "a very good idea", while current French centre-back Ibrahima Konate said, "Mbappe deserves it, we are unanimous on that". Not everyone agrees, however, with former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires saying the decision reveals a "lack of respect towards Antoine".
So why has Deschamps turned to his 24-year-old hotshot to lead France into Euro 2024 and not the more experienced Griezmann, who has started a record 74 consecutive games for France? We asked Eurosport France’s Maxime Dupuis for the lowdown…
"Griezmann was not a more obvious pick, but different. A leader by example but quieter," says Dupuis.
"Mbappe, on the other hand, is more vocal and wanted it. It is a strategic choice. It is difficult to go against Mbappe who has the qualities and the legitimacy to be captain.
"Platini became captain at the same age. He will 'just' have to learn to be more rounded – and potentially less divisive. But his voice carries, and he has indirectly pushed out the FFF president."
Mbappe hit out at the country’s then-football federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet in a row surrounding France legend Zinedine Zidane in January.
Le Graet said he "wouldn’t pick up the phone" if the 1998 World Cup-winning star called to discuss coaching the national team, prompting Mbappe to write on Twitter, "we don’t disrespect the legend like that".
Le Graet resigned in February after allegations of sexual misconduct and a damning audit. He denied wrongdoing.
As to Griezmann, reliable source Le Figaro said he is "upset and hurt" by Deschamps’ armband snub, and is now considering his future with the national team.
"Griezmann was disappointed not to be chosen. More than angry," Dupuis says.
"He is here since 2014 and seems to be a good choice, but Deschamps also knows that he is a leader on the pitch, a model. Not a vocal one outside.
"But is it a big gamble? To disappoint Mbappe would have been one too. The perfect choice was Varane, but he retired. Or Paul Pogba, who has been out injured from France duty for a year.
"Once the two were not there, it was Mbappe or Griezmann. The first one wanted it more than the second."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement