Michel Platini & Alain Giresse endorse Kylian Mbappé as new France captain | OneFootball

Speaking to Franceinfo, France’s legendary skipper Michel Platini believes that giving the captain’s armband to Kylian Mbappé (24) is a very good idea on the part of Les Bleus’ boss Didier Deschamps.

As exclusively revealed by Get French Football News last month, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé (24) has been announced as the new captain of the France national team, whilst Antoine Griezmann (32) has been named as vice-captain.

Three-times Ballon d’Or winner and skipper of the France’s team that won the Euro 1984 at home, Platini assessed that, with the armband, Mbappé will become a better player. “By giving him the responsibility of the captaincy, he [Deschamps] will allow Kylian – if that was ever needed – to aim further, higher and stronger.”

Former France great Alain Giresse is a bit more nuanced than his former teammate Platini in his thinking. Although, he too approves of the choice made by Deschamps. “From the moment we set out the profile of a captain, we certainly demand maturity, but it must be put into perspective in relation to what Mbappé represents. He is a captain in representation, in standing.”

Giresse has linked Mbappé’s captaincy to those of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi with Argentina. “It’s symbolic to give them the armband, because they are the standard bearers.”

Giresse adds that Mbappé’s exuberant youth can be an asset for Les Bleus. “He has this way of approaching games in a way that is perhaps more detached, but with the same conviction. He will be in sync with the other players,” said the legendary Bordeaux player. “He will have to be attentive of the other players not picked to play, like any captain is expected to do.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval