PSG’s Kylian Mbappe named France captain

French sports daily L'Equipe reported that Mbappe had accepted the captaincy after speaking with coach Didier Deschamps.

Kylian Mbappe, France captain Mbappe France football

The France forward, who had initially been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury he sustained on Feb. 1, was on the pitch with his team mates on Sunday and Monday.

Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has been named France captain to succeed Hugo Lloris, the French football federation (FFF) said on Monday.

Kylian Mbappé’s France career by numbers so far:

◉ 66 games
◉ 36 goals
◉ 19 assists
◎ 1x World Cup
◎ 1x World Cup Golden Boot
◎ 1x World Cup Best Young Player
◎ 1x World Cup Silver Ball
◎ 1x Nations League

The new @equipedefrance captain at 24 years old. © pic.twitter.com/JIvGleWzmS

— Squawka (@Squawka) March 21, 2023

French sports daily L’Equipe reported that Mbappe had accepted the captaincy after speaking with coach Didier Deschamps.

“Didier Deschamps has named Kylian Mbappe the new captain of Les Bleus. Antoine Griezmann if the vice-captain,” the FFF said on Twitter.

“Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility. On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element,” French TV channel TF1 quoted Deschamps as saying in an interview to be aired on Sunday.

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Mbappe, 24, had been touted as one of the candidates for the role since goalkeeper Lloris retired from international football in January, weeks after leading France to a second straight World Cup final, where they were beaten by Argentina.

Didier Deschamps a nommé Kylian Mbappé comme nouveau 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒍𝒆𝒖𝒔 ! ©️

Antoine Griezmann est le vice-capitaine 🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/vWzh4nQaTe

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 21, 2023