Kylian Mbappe will likely captain France national team as PSG star ready to lead new era

Posted Friday, February 03, 2023 by Goal.com

PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe is the favourite to take over the captain's armband for Les Bleus following the international retirement of veterans.

France need new captain
Lloris and Varane have retired
Mbappe expected to take over

WHAT HAPPENED? Mbappe is in lead position to take over the captain's armband for the France national team, according to Get French Football News. Les Bleus are without a skipper following Lloris' decision to retire after World Cup 2022. Senior figures such as Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have also subsequently hung up their international boots.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Mbappe is still only 24 but has already racked up 66 caps for the national team. He was part of the side that won the World Cup in 2018 and claimed the Golden Boot in 2022 as Les Bleus made it to the final but were beaten by Argentina. Mbappe has also lifted the Nations League trophy in 2021 and remains key to the team's hopes of future success.

AND WHAT'S MORE: PSG have already named Mbappe as the club's vice-captain for this season, a decision that came as a shock to Presnel Kimpembe, who thought he'd lost his job to the striker. Manager Christophe Galtier has since confirmed that Kimpembe, Mbappe, Marco Verratti and Sergio Ramos are all vice-captains this season.

WHAT NEXT FOR FRANCE? Les Bleus return to action on March 24 against the Netherlands in qualifying for Euro 2024.