Kylian Mbappe admits: Griezmann was disappointed after the French captain’s decision

Written by: Hani Abdel Nabi

Thursday, March 23, 2023 07:23 PM

Killian admitted Mbappe France’s top scorer is aware of the disappointment that befell his colleague Antoine Griezmann after he was given the armband of the roosters during the coming period, starting from the current camp, and before facing the Netherlands in the qualifiers for the European Nations Cup “Euro 2024” organized by Germany next year.

The French Football Federation officially announced the installation of young Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe as captain of the roosters during the coming period, by decision of Didier Deschamps, coach of the French national team, after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and defender Raphael Varane retired from international football..

The two former captains of the roosters announced their international retirement after France lost the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where Argentina won the title on penalties..

The French national team announced the appointment of Mbappe as a new captain, with Antoine Griezmann, the star of Atletico Madrid, as the second captain of the team, “vice-captain”.

Kylian Mbappe said in the press conference for the match: “I spoke with Antoine, he was disappointed and frankly, that’s understandable, it’s normal, it’s a reaction that can be heard.”

Kylian Mbappe added: “I told him (Griezmann) that I might have the same reaction in his place, he’s 32, he’s spent 10 years in the French national team, he’s probably the most important player of the Deschamps era.”.

Kylian Mbappe stressed: “What I told him is that when I am the captain and he is the vice-captain, I am not his hierarchical boss. He has experience in the France team that I do not have.”

Mbappe continued talking about the details of Griezmann’s session: “He arrived in the France team when I was in the training center. He is respected and loved by the whole group. It would be a shame not to benefit from his experience and the joy of life. Of course we will be hand in hand and try to make this French team prevail over European and world level. I will not be in front or behind him. If he has something to say in front of the group, I sit and listen.”

And by asking him who can accompany him and Griezmann in leading the Blues? Mbappe replied: “We must not close the door to anyone. There are sometimes natural leaders, players who want to speak. Everyone is free to express themselves in this group, and the France team does not belong to anyone.”