KYLIAN Mbappe has been named as the captain of the French national team, according to various outlets in the country.
The 24-year-old has succeeded goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who retired from the national team after the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Mbappe, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, accepted the proposal to take up the armband after talks with head coach Didier Deschamps earlier yesterday, AFP reported.
Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, 36, captained France for 10 years, during which they won the World Cup in 2018 and reached two more major finals — the European Championships in 2016 and the World Cup last December.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, 32, was named vice-captain to replace Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane, who has also retired from international football.
Mbappe has scored 36 goals in 66 appearances for his country, and was top scorer at the last World Cup in Qatar, netting a hat-trick in the final as France lost on penalties to Argentina.
He made his senior France debut as an 18-year-old in March 2017, after featuring for the U-17s and U-19s.
Mbappe’a first match as captain will be Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against The Netherlands at the Stade de France in Paris.
