Didier Deschamps backed Kylian Mbappe to bring a “unifying” influence to his new role as France captain.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker was an outstanding candidate to replace Hugo Lloris, who retired from the national team after the World Cup.
Coach Deschamps reportedly informed Mbappe of his appointment after dinner on Monday, with Antoine Griezmann confirmed as vice-captain.
Griezmann, who turned 32 on Tuesday, was reportedly disappointed that he was not handed the captain’s armband after having been a mainstay of the team for many years.
However, Mbappe has a wealth of experience on the international scene himself, having made his debut at the age of 18 six years ago. He scored 36 goals in 66 matches.
Twelve of those goals were scored in World Cups and Mbappe helped France win the 2018 tournament before they finished second in Qatar 2022 where he won the Golden Boot.
Deschamps told French TV channel TF1: “Kylian Mbappe is the new captain of Les Blues. Antoine Griezmann – vice-captain.
“Kylian fits the bill to take on this responsibility. On the field, as in group life, being a unifying element.”
Les Bleus arrived in Clairefontaine yesterday for lunch and had their first training session in the afternoon. #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/t0qlPGyNGx
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) March 21, 2023
Mbappe will lead the team in the Euro 2024 qualifiers that kick off this two weeks against the Netherlands and Ireland.
His first game as skipper will be against the Dutch on Friday at the Stade de France.
On Monday, the French national team gathered at their training base in Clairefontaine. They practiced on Tuesday and the decisive question of who could be captain was decided.