Two days since Kylian Mbappe was announced as the new captain of the French national team, since Hugo Lloris recently retired from the team, the PSG striker found himself in front of the press in a new role. The reason for the conference was the first qualifying match for the European Championship in Germany next year, but the main topic was Didier Deschamps’ decision to make the 24-year-old the first among equals.”New Captain? Having played for Les Bleus, I have immense respect for both players, but Griezmann deserves the captain’s armband for his leadership and dedication to France. FFF’s decision overlooks his contributions and risks team morale. Too early for Mbappé.”- Thierry Henry pic.twitter.com/RQFOl0pNoM— 𝗠𝗚 🇫🇷⁷ (@GriezmannsAlt) March 21, 2023 Just looking at the other names in the squad, it’s clear that Mbappe is not the star among France’s senior players, even thou he is a veteran, considering his stats (66 appearances and 36 goals), but his coolness and calmness in tense situations is something very valuable. Coach Didier Deschamps was a captain himself when he was a player, but he only said that he didn’t say anything to Mbappe, because ‘he knows what to do’. There was a lot of media reports that the other candidate Antoine Griezmann was very disappointed with the decision and that he even contemplated retirement from the national team. PSG striker confirmed his teammate was not happy and revealed their talk.“I spoke with Antoine because he was disappointed. It’s a reaction that I can understand. I told him that in his place, I might have had the same reaction. He is 32 years old, he was one of the best, if not the best, of the Didier Deschamps era. I told him that I am not his superior. He has experience in the France team that I don’t have, which is valued by the whole group. We need him. We are going to be hand in hand, him and me, to try to make this French team reign at world level. If he has something to say in front of the group, I will sit down and listen. Everyone is free to express themselves in this group” promised Mbappe.Griezmann nearly left France camp over Mbappe’s captain armbandIn Paris Saint-Germain, he currently has the role of deputy captain, but in the national team he just became one. Journalists were eager to know what he will be like.“I am not going to change. Everyone is a captain based on their personality. I’m going to be a different captain. I don’t think the coach made me captain thinking I was going to do the same as Hugo. I know my words make noise. People will see me a little more often but I want to leave room for others so I must not monopolize the media space. Putting aside the responsibilities, it is above all a great pleasure. When the coach asks you if you want to become captain, your mouth immediately says yes. I did not think about it at all. He wants me to be a unifier, and lead the team. And that I can be a link between the old guard and the new generation and lead this team to win titles. Players who have played with me know that my first obsession is to win. And I don’t win alone, but with the team” said Mbappe.EURO 2024 – QualifiersFriday 20.00: (2.70) Bulgaria (2.95) Montenegro (2.90)22.45: (1.10) Serbia (10.0) Lithuania (23.0)22.45: (3.35) Sweden (3.25) Belgium (2.25)22.45: (2.50) Czech R. (3.15) Poland (3.00)22.45: (1.90) France (3.45) Netherlands (4.20)22.45: (30.0) Gibraltar (12.0) Greece (1.07)22.45: (2.50) Moldova (3.00) Faroe I. (3.15)22.45: (1.25) Austria (5.80) Azerbaijan (12.0)Saturday 17.00: (1.28) Scotland (5.50) Cyprus (11.0)20.00: (8.00) Armenia (4.50) Turkey (1.42)20.00: (12.0) Belarus (5.80) Switzerland (1.25)20.00: (1.95) Israel (3.40) Kosovo* (4.10)22.45: (1.37) Spain (4.70) Norway (9.00)22.45: (1.60) Croatia (3.70) Wales (6.25)22.45: (15.0) Andorra (6.50) Romania (1.20)*** odds are subject to change ***
