Kylian Mbappe ‘clears the air with Antoine Griezmann’ after France captaincy snub…with PSG star ‘telling his new vice-captain he’s counting on him’ as Les Bleus prepare for Netherlands clash
Kylian Mbappe was keen to clear the air with Antoine Griezmann after the latter’s high-profile snub for the France captaincy, after the Atletico Madrid star reported that he had been considering his international future.
The PSG star, who also drew attention after being named vice-captain of his club, was quick to discuss his new role with Griezmann, whom he counts on for support. according to L’Equipe.
With doubts and debate already haunting Mbappé’s tenure with the bracelet, it would be an important gesture from the 24-year-old to ensure any rift between the pair is resolved quickly.
Mbappé was announced as the new captain by Didier Deschamps on Tuesday, after Hugo Lloris announced his international retirement after the World Cup in Qatar.
Griezmann was thought to have ambitions for the role, having made 117 caps for his country and being a crucial piece of Deschamps’ World Cup-winning side in 2018.
Kylian Mbappé was quick to clear things up with Antoine Griezmann according to a report
The Atlético de Madrid star was named vice-captain of France by coach Didier Deschamps
However, the Les Bleus boss awarded the bracelet to Mbappe, who was quick to discuss his new status in the team with Griezmann, according to the report.
He also claims that Mbappe reassured Griezmann by explaining that his vision of the captaincy is one in which the team’s main players would have a role and be able to express their opinions.
Apart from Griezmann, the French team has a lot of experience from other players such as Olivier Giroud and the 2018 World Cup winners Theo Hernández and Benjamin Pavar.
But despite his youth, Mbappe already has 66 caps for his country, and with 36 goals he is sixth on France’s all-time goalscoring list.
L’Equipe’s report would suggest that he is already showing the maturity and leadership expected of a captain of one of the most important forces on the international scene.
In Qatar, Griezmann and Mbappe were perhaps the two most important players for France as Les Bleus reached the final only to be beaten by Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
The pair have played 61 games together for France and have combined for eight goals.
The 24-year-old scored a hat-trick against the Albiceleste to take his own tally in the competition to 12, putting him just four behind record holder Miroslav Klose, and almost single-handedly guided them to victory.
For Griezmann, the tournament brought a change in position that saw him play a deeper role in midfield, but it was an alteration that saw him thrive alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot.
All but five of Mbappe’s international matches in France have featured Griezmann, with the pair combining for eight goals in 61 games on the pitch together.
Mbappé’s first game formally as captain comes against the Netherlands on Friday in Group B qualifying for Euro 2024.