22 March,2023 07:18 AM IST | Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) | AFP
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe will take over as captain of France after Hugo Lloris stepped down following the World Cup final defeat to Argentina, a source close to the team has told AFP.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe, 24, accepted the role after discussions with coach Didier Deschamps.
His first game as captain will be Friday's Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the Stade de France, Les Bleus' first match since their World Cup final disappointment in Doha on December 18.
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‘Beautiful day’
Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, 36, brought an end to his international career in January, in the weeks after Lionel Messi's Argentina side beat the French in a penalty shootout following a thrilling match that ended 3-3 in extra-time. Lloris had been skipper for more than a decade.
Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann was named vice-captain after Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane also hung up his boots following the defeat to Argentina in December.
Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final defeat, had been heavily linked with the captain's role for weeks. Michel Platini, who captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championship, said the decision was "a very good idea." "In giving him the responsibility of the captaincy, it allows Kylian, when necessary, to go still further, higher, stronger," Platini, the ex-head of European football's governing body UEFA, said in a statement.
Also read: PSG forward Kylian Mbappe named as France captain after Hugo Lloris retirement
Mbappe helped Les Bleus to World Cup glory as a teenager in 2018 and has established himself as arguably the leading forward on the global stage. The Paris-born former Monaco player is vice-captain at PSG behind Brazilian defender Marquinhos and led the side in the defender's absence during Sunday's loss to Rennes.
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