Raphael Varane - players.bio

'Kylian Mbappe wanted France captaincy more than Antoine Griezmann' – Inside Europe on Didier Deschamps call

Fresh from becoming the second player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final – and the first on the losing team after penalty shootout heartbreak to Argentina in Qatar – Kylian Mbappe has been named the new France captain ahead of Antoine Griezmann. The armband was vacant after Hugo Lloris retired from international duty in January, having captained the side to victory at Russia 2018 and the final four years later. Expected replacement Raphael Varane swiftly followed that with his own retirement statement aged just 29, leaving Deschamps searching for a new leader on the pitch.

'Not something I'm happy about' - Didier Deschamps sends message to Man United's Raphael Varane

France manager Didier Deschamps has revealed his disappointment at Raphael Varane's retirement from international football, with the Manchester United defender instead opting to focus on club football.

Kylian Mbappe Named New France Captain After Hugo Lloris Retirement

Kylian Mbappe has succeeded the retired Hugo Lloris as France captain, a source close to the team told AFP on Monday. Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe, 24, accepted the proposal after discussions with coach Didier Deschamps earlier in the day. Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris brought an end to his international career in January after losing the World Cup final a month earlier.