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Coach Didier Deschamps has chosen forward Kylian Mbappe as the captain of the French national team, replacing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
The French team gathered at Clairefontaine on March 20 to prepare for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland. According to L'Equipe, Deschamps will speak with Mbappe about selecting him as captain, and the decision could be officially announced on Thursday, March 23.
After the 2022 World Cup, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris retired from the French national team, leaving the captain's armband open. Defender Raphael Varane had previously served as captain in 20 matches, but he also left the team in February 2023 to focus on his club career.
At this current gathering, only Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann have more experience playing for the French national team than Mbappe. Griezmann has played 117 matches for France and has served as captain once, but Mbappe has been chosen this time. The 25-year-old forward has played 66 matches for the team, scoring 36 goals, including a hat-trick in the final of the 2022 World Cup. Lloris himself had recommended Mbappe as the new captain.
When France gathered on March 20, Mbappe wore black clothing and sunglasses when he met with Deschamps, making the coach remark that he could not recognize him. In contrast, Griezmann had dyed his hair bright pink and stood out among the players. The Atletico Madrid striker will celebrate his 32nd birthday on March 21.
Mbappe was born in Paris, grew up in Monaco's youth academy, and made his name there. Since the 2017-2018 season, he has played for Paris Saint Germain and scored 202 goals in 250 matches, currently serving as the team's vice-captain. He holds the record for the most goals scored in a World Cup final (four goals) and the most goals scored in direct qualifiers (eight goals).
Coach Deschamps also confirmed that goalkeeper Mike Maignan will start in place of Lloris. The AC Milan goalkeeper missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury but has shown his ability by helping Milan win the Serie A last season. Maignan has only played five matches for the French national team, but the other two goalkeepers, Alphonse Areola and Brice Samba, have even less experience.
France is in Group B in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, along with the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, and Gibraltar. They will play their first match against the Netherlands at Stade de France on March 24, three days before they visit Ireland.
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