Kylian Mbappe’s main role as France captain will be to link the old and new generations of players in the squad.
Mbappe was named France captain to replace Hugo Lloris on Tuesday March 21, 2023 after the 36-year-old goalkeeper announced his international retirement in January.
The 24-year-old Mbappe was given a specific task by coach Didier Deschamps.
“He wants me to be a unifier, to bring my team along with me. I am the link between the generations,” Mbappe said.
“I’m captain of my country, it’s something you can’t shirk. It’s a new responsibility.”
“I’m going to take it on naturally. It’s not going to change how I play, but maybe the way I behave.”
Mbappe said vice-captain Antoine Griezmann had been disappointed by the decision.
The 32-year-old forward has been a long-serving player for Deschamps, making his first appearance for his country in 2014.
He confirmed that the pair have had positive discussions at Clairefontaine as we reported earlier.
Mbappe Further Said
“I spoke with Antoine because he was disappointed and that’s understandable. I told him that in his place I might have had the same reaction.”
“He is perhaps one of the most important players under Didier Deschamps.
“He has experience in the France team that I don’t have, which is respected by the whole group.
“We need him and his joie de vivre. We will live hand in hand, side by side. If he has something to say, I’ll sit down and listen.
“Everyone is free to express themselves in this group,” Frances’ new captain said.
Mbappe, who has been capped 66 times and played a key role in the team’s victorious 2018 World Cup campaign and their runners-up finish in 2022, said he would be different to Lloris.
Read more: Kylian Mbappe Replaces Hugo Lloris as Captain of France Team
“I don’t think the coach made me captain because he thought I was going to do exactly the same thing as Hugo,” he said.
Mbappe’s first match as skipper will be on Friday March 24, 2023, when France face the Netherlands at the Stade de France in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.
