The French Football Federation announced that Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has become captain of the national team, replacing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Earlier, L’Equipe newspaper said that Mbappe had agreed to wear the armband, after talking to France coach Didier Deschamps.
The French Federation said on its Twitter account: “Didier Deschamps, France coach, chose Kylian Mbappe as the new captain of the national team. Antoine Griezmann is the second captain.”
And the French TV channel TF1 quoted Deschamps as saying in an interview that will be broadcast next Sunday: “All the requirements for carrying out this responsibility are available in Killian, whether on or off the field, as he is an element around which the team gathers.”
Mbappe, 24, was among the candidates to lead the France national team, after goalkeeper Loris retired from international football with his country in January, and weeks after reaching the World Cup final for the second time in a row, where the team lost to Argentina on penalties.
Mbappe played 66 international matches with France, contributed to winning the 2018 World Cup, and finished second in the 2022 edition.
The French national team will host its Dutch counterpart at the France International Stadium in the European Championship 2024 qualifiers, on Friday, before traveling to Ireland, next Monday.
The post Mbappe succeeds Loris in the leadership of France appeared first on Gatto Presss.