'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.

On Tuesday, he confirmed that man would be Mbappe. Ad «Kylian Mbappe is the new France captain. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain,» he told French outlet Telefoot.

«Kylian ticks all the boxes to have this responsibility. On the pitch as well as within the squad, by being a key element.» World CupHow 'hybrid midfielder' Griezmann is having 'best tournament' in France colours13/12/2022 AT 16:43 Michel Platini has called the move «a very good idea», while current French centre-back Ibrahima Konate said, «Mbappe deserves it, we are unanimous on that». Not everyone agrees, however, with former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires saying the decision reveals a «lack of respect towards Antoine».