Mbappe Will Take Over As The New Captain Of France.

Hugo Lloris resigned as France’s captain after his country lost to Argentina in the World Cup final, and Kylian Mbappe will now serve in that role.

Following conversations with coach Didier Deschamps, striker Mbappe, 24, of Paris Saint-Germain, agreed to take on the position.

The French national team’s first encounter since their defeat in the World Cup final in Doha on December 18 will be their Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands on Friday at the Stadium de France, which will serve as his first match as captain.

Lloris, a 36-year-old goalie for Tottenham, finished his international career in January, a few weeks after Argentina’s Lionel Messi team defeated France on penalties following a dramatic encounter that ended 3-3 in extra time.

Lloris had served as skipper for over ten years.

As Manchester United center-back Raphael Varane retired after the team’s loss to Argentina in December, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann was named vice-captain.

Mbappe had been strongly associated with the captaincy for weeks before he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final defeat.

A “really smart idea,” according to Michel Platini, who led France to victory at the European Championship in 1984.

The former president of UEFA, Michel Platini, stated in a statement to AFP that giving Kylian the burden of leadership allows him to go even further, higher, and stronger when necessary.

Mbappe, who was just a youngster in 2018 when he helped Les Bleus win the World Cup, has made a name for himself as probably the best forward in the world.

The Paris-born former Monaco player, who serves as PSG’s vice captain in place of Brazilian defender Marquinhos, captained the team during Sunday’s defeat to Rennes without the defense.

Mbappe scored seven goals in PSG’s journey to the last 16 of the Champions League, when they were eliminated by Bayern Munich, and has scored 19 goals in 24 Ligue 1 games this season.

In their qualifying group for Euro 2024, which will be contested in Germany, France is paired with the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, Greece, and Gibraltar.