Mbappé understands Griezmann’s disappointment: The fact that the Dutch national team is plagued by a virus infection was only a side issue at the press conference of the French national team. In the run-up to the European Championship qualifying match with the Orange, it was mainly about one thing: that Kylian Mbappé is the new captain.
National coach Didier Deschamps appointed Mbappé this week as the successor to the retired goalkeeper and record international Hugo Lloris. On Thursday, the 24-year-old star attacker gave his first press conference as Les Bleus captain. “I never thought I would be captain of France, but I am very happy about it,” said Mbappé, who denied that he is primarily an individualist. “I have to think collectively, but I will not change myself. Everyone fills in the captaincy in their own way, I also have my own character.”
“I spoke to Antoine. He was disappointed and I understand that,” said Mbappé
The appointment of Mbappé as the new captain of France caused a stir in the French press. For example, Antoine Griezmann would be disappointed. Some newspapers even claimed that it might affect his international career. “I spoke to Antoine. He was disappointed and I understand that,” said Mbappé. “If I had been in his shoes as a 32-year-old very important player for France, I would have felt the same way. He has more experience than me, so I won’t get above him. We stand side by side. That’s what I told him.”
Deschamps also spoke with Griezmann. “We discussed it, but this should not overshadow this game. He was momentarily disappointed, which is understandable. But then we moved on to the order of the day. He is cheerful as always, there is no problem with Griezmann,” the national coach swore, who does not understand why Mbappé could not be an altruist. “Why not? As an attacker, he makes individual moves, but that does not mean that he is not an altruist. I didn’t choose him to please him, but because he has the ability to be a good captain.”
“We will still have a strong collective against us. It is a pity for them that this happens, but that will not change the quality of the Dutch national team,” said Deschamps, who joked about the possible way of playing of the Orange. “If you have any information about this, feel free to pass it on to us.”
