Will Kylian Mbappé be France's new captain?

Following Karim Benzema, Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda, French defender Raphaël Varane has also announced his international retirement. The French team therefore officially no longer has a captain or vice-captain. But a name to take over the head of the Blues is already circulating: Kylian Mbappé.

The 2022 World Cup final against Argentina marked the end of an era. This match, which will remain engraved in the history of football, was the last for the two French captains, Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane, captain and vice-captain respectively.

Raphaël Varane announced his international retirement on Thursday, February 2 through his Instagram account. "Representing our magnificent country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Each time I have worn this special blue jersey, I have felt immense pride".

"I've been thinking about it for several months and I decided it was the right time for me to retire from international football," he continued, before looking back on his memories with the Blues, and in particular, their victory in the 2018 World Cup. "I will never forget it. I still feel every single emotion I felt on that day, July 15, 2018. It was one of the greatest and most memorable moments of my life ( …) Your fervor, the celebrations and the memories of our return to France will remain engraved in me forever,” he wrote.

"I will miss those times with you for sure, but now is the time for the new generation to take over. We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve their chance. and who needs you", Raphaël Varane concluded in his Instagram post. The announcement took everyone by surprise, given his young age of 29.

According to Le Parisiein, the Manchester United defender would be experiencing "a certain form of physical and psychological wear and tear". The World Cup final, lost on penalties against the Albiceleste after an incredible comeback, would have played a part in his decision. The French new agency also indicated that Varane would like to devote more time to his family.

Didier Deschamps reacted to Raphaël Varane's decision, via a press release from the French Football Federation (FFF): "I respect his decision even if it may seem regrettable in view of everything he has been able to do with the selection until 'at the World Cup during which he behaved, from start to finish, like the leader that we know. He adds: "Raphael believes that he has reached the end of his adventure with the France team. I experienced a situation somewhat similar to his, I understand his arguments."

Raphaël Varane began his story with the Blues on March 22, 2013, against Georgia (photo). Since then, he had established himself as the indisputable boss of the tricolor defense. Ten years and 93 selections later, the 2018 world champion therefore bids farewell to the Blues, just like Hugo Lloris, a few weeks ago.

With his 145 selections (a record) Hugo Lloris was also a pillar of the French team. Iconic captain of the Blues since 2010, the goalkeeper announced his international retirement at the beginning of January. The Frenchman began his tricolor adventure in 2008 and wore the captain's armband 121 times.

"It's not easy to announce this, but after fourteen years defending this jersey, which I wore with great pleasure, with pride, duty and a sense of responsibility, I believe I have reached the end" , he said in an interview with the newspaper L'Équipe, published on January 9, 2023.

If Raphaël Varane seemed the natural successor to Hugo Lloris in the captaincy, his surprise announcement now reshuffles all the cards. Who will be the new captain of the Blues? At present, Kylian Mbappé would be the favorite to take the armband.

Since the last World Cup, the Paris Saint-Germain forward has taken fone to another dimension within the French team. In the final against Argentina, the striker proved that he was capable of single-handedly carrying the team, and changing the game in a few strides.

If he was able to impose himself on the green rectangle, becoming one of the major forces of his selection, Kylian Mbappé has also acquired great legitimacy outside the field. During the World Cup in Qatar, we could see the 24-year-old striker encourage and remobilize his team in the tricolor locker room.

With PSG, the native of Bondy wore the captain's armband for the first time in his career on January 23, 2023, against Pays de Cassel in the Coupe de France. As Christophe Galtier repeated in a press conference, Kylian is one of the four vice-captains of his club, with Kimpembe, Verratti and Ramos.

Proof of his involvement in the France team, Mbappé did not hesitate to confront the FFF on the subject of player image rights. Besides, he recently publicly reframed Noël Le Graët after his shameful remarks about Zinedine Zidane. In short, a player invested both on the field, and outside, who would suit a leadership role.

Hugo Lloris, who saw Raphaël Varane as his natural successor, also mentioned Mbappé a few weeks ago to resume his role. "There is a player who is gaining momentum, at all levels. On the pitch, off the pitch, even at the level of group and locker room life, it is Kylian Mbappé. He has started to take on a new role within the team, and I think we need that in a collective", confided the doorman of Tottenham to Téléfoot.

But Kylian Mbappé is not the only potential candidate for the captaincy of the France team!

With his 117 appearances in the blue jersey, Antoine Griemann is also a candidate of choice to take over the captain's armband. Best decisive passer in the history of the France team, Griezmann has a special relationship with the selection, which he joined in 2014. Altruistic, he played a key role in midfield during the 2022 World Cup, and has greatly contributed to his team's victories.

The Atlético de Madrid player is also unanimous in the tricolor group, and has a very strong relationship with Didier Deschamps. The coach of the France team could support his confidence and give him the yellow armband.

Real boss of the locker room during the 2018 World Cup, Paul Pogba would also be a serious candidate to become the new captain of the Blues. But his physical glitches, which have kept him away from the field for several months, also exclude him from the captaincy, at present.

In the end, only Didier Deschamps will decide on the name of the new captain of the France team. And we know, "DD" can sometimes be surprising! In any case, the new captain should play his first match with the armband on March 23 at the Stade de France, against the Netherlands, as part of the qualifications for Euro 2024.