FIFA World Cup 2022 Golden Boot Winner Kylian Mbappe Named French Team’s New Captain. The French sports daily L’Equipe reported that coach Didier Deschamps spoke with Kylian Mbappe, and the Paris Saint Germain forward accepted the captaincy of France’s men’s football team, succeeding Hugo Lloris. Mbappe was France’s goal machine during the last Fifa World Cup 2022, scoring 8 goals and winning the Golden Boot at the Qatar World Cup 2022.
Mbappe, who has 66 caps and was instrumental in France’s World Cup victory in 2018 as well as their runner-up finish in 2022, was touted as a possible replacement for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Lloris retired from international football in January after leading France to a second consecutive World Cup final, which they lost to Lionel Messi-led +Argentina.
In September 2022, Mbappe led France in a Nations League match against Denmark. Deschamps is confident that the 24-year-old has matured enough to lead the side following his stellar performance at the 2022 World Cup, making him one of the youngest captains in Les Bleu’s history.
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Hugo Lloris, who led the team for 14 years from 2008 to 2022, was France’s longest-serving captain. Mbappe’s tenure as France’s national team captain begins on Friday at the Stade de France in a 2024 European Championship qualifier against the Netherlands.
Kylian Mbappe
As a teenager in 2018, Mbappe helped Les Bleus to World Cup glory and has established himself as arguably the leading forward on the global stage. The Paris-born former Monaco player is currently the vice-captain at PSG, behind Brazilian defender Marquinhos. During Sunday’s loss to Rennes, Mbappe led the side in the defender’s absence.
This season, Mbappe has scored 19 goals in 24 Ligue 1 matches and contributed seven goals in PSG’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they were knocked out by Bayern Munich.
Euro cup 2024 which is scheduled to be held in Germany, France is grouped with Ireland, Greece, Netherlands, the Republic, Gibraltar and Greece in their qualifying group.
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At 24 years old, Mbappe will become one of the youngest-ever captains for France, following in the footsteps of Lloris who held the armband for 14 years from 2008 to 2022. His vice-captain will be Griezmann, who has 117 caps and 42 goals for France.
