With the retirements of Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane, Didier Deschamps will have to find a new captain.
The most capped player in the history of the France team, Hugo Lloris, captain of the Blues, has decided to retire, leaving the so prestigious captain’s armband vacant. Facing the Netherlands on March 24, Didier Deschamps will therefore have to establish a new captain and several names are circulating. During his interview with Parisian and Figaro, the current coach explained that several players could claim the armband like Kylian Mbappé, vice captain of PSG and Antoine Griezmann, but that consultation will be done with them. “I know who can be and can’t be (he smiles). I would have discussions with some of them. I’m ahead of you because you’re going to ask me the question: is Kylian (Mbappé ) can be? Yes, of course. Antoine Griezmann can also be in relation to his experience. The decision will be made during the training camp in March. I want to hear the feelings of the players concerned.”
In a poll published by L’Equipe in January 2023 after the World Cup, 36% of respondents wanted to see Kylian Mbappé as the next captain, ahead of Antoine Griezmann 30%, Raphaël Varane 28% while 6% hope to see another player wear the cuff. If Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann are considered the big favorites, let’s not forget either an Olivier Giroud who wants to play until Euro 2024 and who became the Blues’ top scorer during the 2022 World Cup.
