<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Paris Saint-Germain forward <strong><a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/kylian-mbappe-i-play-to-make-history-and-i-am-doing-that-23273722" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mbappe</a></strong>, 24, accepted the role after discussions with coach Didier Deschamps.</p>
<p><img title="Michel Platini" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/mar/MichelPlatini-h_e.jpg" alt="Michel Platini" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Michel Platini</em></strong></p>
<p>His first game as captain will be Friday&rsquo;s Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the Stade de France, Les Bleus&rsquo; first match since their World Cup final disappointment in Doha on December 18.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Lloris, a successful leader</h2>
<p>Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, 36, brought an end to his international career in January, in the weeks after Lionel Messi&rsquo;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.&nbsp;</p>
<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>That great World Cup!</h2>
<p>Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final defeat, had been heavily linked with the captain&rsquo;s role for weeks. Michel Platini, who captained France to victory in the 1984 European Championship, said the decision was &ldquo;a very good idea.&rdquo; &ldquo;In giving him the responsibility of the captaincy, it allows Kylian, when necessary, to go still further, higher, stronger,&rdquo; Platini, the ex-head of European football&rsquo;s governing body UEFA, said in a statement. &nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/psg-forward-kylian-mbappe-named-as-france-captain-after-hugo-lloris-retirement-23276480" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">PSG forward Kylian Mbappe named as France captain after Hugo Lloris retirement</a></strong></p>
<p>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&rsquo;s absence during Sunday&rsquo;s loss to Rennes.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever</em></span></p><p>
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Mbappe handed France captaincy; legend Platini believes new responsibility will see him go further, higher and stronger

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