Didier Deschamps has chosen Kylian Mbappé to succeed Hugo Lloris as captain of the France team, much to the chagrin of Antoine Griezmann. This Thursday, the 24-year-old striker spoke about the reaction of his comrade.
After the announcement of the international retirement of Hugo Lloris in January, Didier Deschamps had to decide among his players to decide which of them would become the new captain of the Blues. The news fell on Tuesday: it was Kylian Mbappé, 24, who was chosen to take over the famous armband. A decision that would have particularly disappointed Antoine Griezmann, promoted to vice-captain. Indeed, the 32-year-old player, who has 117 caps and 42 goals with the France team, presumably hoped to be chosen to lead the team. His long experience with the Blues and his undeniable popularity made him one of the favorites to take up the torch. On the Foot Mercato site, he had also won 59% of the votes (against 41% for Kylian Mbappé) to the question “Who should be the new captain of the Blues?“. But Didier Deschamps had, it seems, another idea in mind. This Thursday, during a press conference, Kylian Mbappé spoke about the decision of the coach, and about his relationship with Antoine Griezmann.”I spoke with Antoine because he was disappointed and honestly, it’s understandable, it’s a reaction that can be heard“, says the new captain of the France team before adding: “I told him that in his place, I might have had the same reaction.“
Kylian Mbappé on Antoine Griezmann: “I’m not his superior”
Kylian Mbappé wanted to make things clear on one point: between Antoine Griezmann and him, there is no hierarchy. “When I am captain and he is vice-captain, I am not his hierarchical superior. He has experience in the France team that I don’t have. He is someone who is esteemed and loved by the whole group.so it would be a shame if we couldn’t benefit from his experience and his joie de vivre.“, explains Kylian Mbappé before assuring that Antoine Griezmann and him will work”together“to advance the France team.