March 23, 2023, 1:22 PM
March 23, 2023, 1:22 PM
Kylian Mbappé, the new captain of the French team, pointed out that it is “normal” that Antoine Griezmann feels “disappointed” for not having been chosen, this Thursday in his first press conference since he was appointed by French coach Didier Deschamps.
“I have spoken with Antoine. I was disappointed and honestly it’s understandable and normal. In his place I would have had the same reaction. He may be the most important player of the Didier Deschamps era. But I will not be his superior in the hierarchy, “said the successor to Hugo Lloris on the eve of the Bleus match against the Netherlands on Friday at the Stade de France, qualifying for the Euro Cup in Germany-2024.
Despite being only 24 years old, Mbappé already has 66 international matches and 36 goals with the ‘Bleus’, with whom he won the 2018 World Cup in Russia and reached the final in Qatar 2022, lost to Argentina on penalties.
Mbappé, international since 2017, replaces Hugo Lloris, retired from the national team after the World Cup in Qatar, in December. The Tottenham goalkeeper had been the captain since 2010.
Deschamps, according to a source close to AFP, made the decision after having a talk on Monday with Mbappé and the other candidate for the captaincy, Griezmann.
The striker of Atlético de Madrid will be from now second captain, replacing Manchester United centre-back Raphaël Varane, who also left the French team after the World Cup.
Mbappé will debut the bracelet against the Netherlands. On Monday the 27th, the ‘Bleus’ will play against Ireland.
