Kylian Mbappe named as the new captain of France to replace Hugo Lloris

Kylian Mbappe has been named as Hugo Lloris’s replacement as captain of the French national team.

Antoine Griezmann will be the vice-captain, despite reports on Tuesday suggesting he was questioning his international future after being snubbed for the captaincy.

Mbappe – the top scorer at last year’s World Cup, where France finished as runners-up to Argentina – is set to lead the side during the country’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland.

The 24-year-old has scored 36 goals in 66 caps for Les Bleus since making his debut in 2017, putting him sixth on their all-time list of top goalscorers.

Having also netted 12 times at just two World Cups, he is only four goals behind former Germany striker Miroslav Klose – who is the top scorer in the tournament’s history. 

Antoine Griezmann (right) was reportedly questioning his international future after being snubbed for the France captaincy, with the Atletico Madrid star appointed as vice-captain

Mbappe replaces Hugo Lloris in the role after the Tottenham No. 1 retired after the World Cup

The captain’s armband was vacant after Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris announced he was retiring from international duty following the World Cup.

Mbappe’s selection as skipper had reportedly upset Griezmann, who was left ‘hurt’ at being overlooked for the role, according to L’Equipe.

The 32-year-old – who has racked up 117 caps for his country since making his debut in 2014, scoring 42 goals – has been an extremely loyal and reliable player for Deschamps.

During the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year, Griezmann even said: ‘I give everything for France and for Deschamps.’

The attacker has become a leader of the French team over recent years and shone with his displays in Qatar from a deeper midfield role, but the report stated he was unhappy at the decision to give Mbappe the armband.

For Deschamps, it is reported he viewed Mbappe as a choice of ‘legitimacy’, perhaps due to his personality, performances in Qatar and the fact he is younger and likely to be a firm part of France’s team for the next decade.

However, Griezmann felt his international experience, along with his loyalty to Deschamps and the fact he would be a less divisive choice among the French squad meant he should have been chosen.

He has also discovered a new lease of life over recent months with Atletico where he has been in fine form.

The report also stated Griezmann did not hide his pain at France’s base at the national football centre in Clarefontaine after being snubbed.

With the retirements of senior players such as Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane and Steve Mandanda, and the continued absence of the experienced Paul Pogba, Griezmann appreciates the changes that are taking place among the team.

While he still does remain close to many players in Deschamps’s squad, missing out on the captaincy created doubts in his head about his international future.

However, with his appointment as vice-captain, it now looks as if he is set to continue his career with France ahead of next summer’s Euros in Germany.

The 32-year-old has racked up 117 France caps and felt he was a strong contender to be skipper

Mbappe won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup after scoring eight goals for France

Didier Deschamps’s side are back in action when they face the Netherlands on Friday in Paris

Mbappe has represented Les Bleus in three international tournaments, with the PSG forward winning the ‘Best Young Player Award’ during France’s triumph in Russia in 2018.

However, he then missed the decisive penalty in the last-16 of Euro 2020 as France crashed out to Switzerland in a shootout.

Mbappe then shone in Qatar, where he won the Golden Boot with eight goals, which included helping France come from 2-0 and 3-2 down against Argentina in the final before they lost on penalties.

France have been drawn alongside the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar in Group B of qualification for Euro 2024.