Friction in French camp as Kylian Mbappé named captain
TENSION: France's Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann celebrate during the World Cup in Qatar. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Friction is understood to be rife in the French camp over the captaincy, with Antoine Griezmann’s birthday said to be ruined over being snubbed for Kylian Mbappé.
Griezmann looked in chipper form as he assembled in Clairefontaine on Monday for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Netherlands and Ireland but his mood darkened following the decision of Didier Deschamps.
The French boss confirmed Mbappé as his new skipper in an interview with TF1 journalist Saber Desfarges.
“Kylian Mbappé is the new France captain. Antoine Griezmann is the vice-captain. Kylian ticks all the boxes to have this responsibility. On the pitch as well as within the squad, by being a key element.”
Griezmann, who turns 32 on Tuesday, was the initial frontrunner when their veteran goalkeeper hung up his gloves, soon followed by Raphaël Varane, but that was before the credentials of 24-year-old World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappé were advanced, even by Lloris.
Reaction has been mixed, with Atlético Madrid attacker Griezmann - the second most experienced player behind Olivier Giroud with 117 caps and 42 goals – believed to be ‘upset and hurt’ to the extent of considering his international future, according to L’Équipe.
According to Le Figaro, the consolation prize of being vice-captain shatters Griezmann’s “dream” of wearing the armband up to next year’s finals tournament in Germany.
Speaking to the French publication, Franceinfo, Robert Pirès weighed in on Deschamps' decision, citing a "lack of respect" towards the Atletico Madrid man.
“A logical choice? Honestly, no. Considering his longevity, what he’s done down the years, I was expecting it to be Griezmann.
“Antoine is Didier’s stalwart, the one with the most caps in a row.
"It’s a lack of respect towards Antoine. Although I must stress I have nothing against Kylian."
He continued: "We must not forget what Antoine did at the last World Cup, where he was the best and the most consistent [France player]."
Les Bleus open their Euro 2024 campaign on Friday by welcoming top seeds Netherlands to Stade de France before they travel to Dublin on Monday to take on Ireland.
Only the top two from the group qualify for the finals, with the remainder relying on the backdoor route of three places on offer through the Uefa Nations League playoffs.
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