We would almost forget that the race for Euro 2024 begins on Friday evening for the Blues. It must be said that the reception of the Netherlands on the sidelines of the qualifiers for the next European championship was rather overshadowed this week by a decision by coach Didier Deschamps. That of entrusting the captain’s armband to Kylian Mbappé (24 years old). The Parisian striker therefore succeeds Hugo Lloris, who ended his international career in the wake of the 2022 World Cup, and won a status that Antoine Griezmann would have dreamed of obtaining. The Atlético Madrid player (117 caps – 42 goals) was affected by this choice even, according to The Teamuntil wondering about the follow-up to be given to his career in the jersey flanked by the rooster.
“When you see the players that there were or still are in relation to the selection, for me it was quite logical that the armband should go to Antoine Griezmann”, estimated in Europe 1 Sport Robert Pirès, world champion in 1998 with the Blues. According to the former Arsenal player, the native of Mâcon would have deserved reward for his “longevity” and his “continuity”. Antoine Griezmann has worn the France team jersey since 2014 and has always benefited from the confidence of Didier Deschamps, including when his club performance declined. He has not missed a single match for the France team since June 13, 2017, i.e. 74 consecutive matches. “Griezmann is a bit ‘his man’. His player, his soldier. So I was a little surprised. Also disappointed for Antoine Griezmann, because he expected him and above all deserved him”, continues Robert Pirès .
“If he bequeaths it to Kylian, that means he sees it in the long term”
According to him, it would have been better to wait a little longer before entrusting the armband to the PSG striker. “Obviously, I have nothing against Kylian Mbappé. But to answer your question, yes, I think it’s a bit too early because he already has huge responsibilities, even if he takes them on. He did it during the last World Cup”, greets Pirès. The Bondynois had indeed distinguished himself in Qatar, finishing top scorer with eight goals including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina. A competition in which Antoine Griezmann also shone, would like to remind the ex-OM player. “For me, he was the best French player throughout the World Cup. So I’m surprised at the choice of ‘DD’, but we respect as usual”.
For his part, Christian Karembeu, teammate of Pirès (and Deschamps) during the epic of 98, approves the coach’s decision. “I understand Robert’s opinion but I know Didier very well (…) and he knows that if he gives it (the captaincy) to Kylian, it means that he has all the parameters required to be captain. And so me, it does not surprise me because Didier was captain very young and very early. And if he bequeaths it to Kylian, that means that he sees it in the long term “. The first step for Kylian Mbappé will be to put his people on the right track with a view to qualifying for Euro 2024 which will be played in Germany.