Robert Pirès says Antoine Griezmann France captaincy snub is a “lack of respect” | OneFootball

Former France footballing great Robert Pirès does not understand why France’s versatile forward Antoine Griezmann (32) has been appointed only vice-captain of Les Bleus, with PSG’s free-scoring forward Kylian Mbappé (24) given the armband instead. As exclusively revealed by Get French Football News last month, Mbappé has always been in pole position to be given the captaincy and follow in the footsteps of Hugo Lloris. His main competitor was Griezmann, and following reports last night that Mbappé was set to receive the armband, Le Parisien and L’Équipe reported that the Atletico Madrid man was potentially considering retiring from international football.

Speaking to Franceinfo, Pirès, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, has expressed his surprise at seeing Mbappé given the France armband. “A logical choice ? Honestly, no. Considering his longevity, what he’s done down the years, I was expecting it to be Griezmann.” The former Arsenal man did not hold back in his assessment. “Antoine is Didier’s stalwart, the one with the most caps in a row (74). It’s a lack of respect towards Antoine. Although I must stress I have nothing against Kylian.“

Pirès, who won France’s greatest titles with Deschamps as a teammate, said he would have given the armband to Griezmann until Euro 2024 before handing it to Mbappé with a view to the 2026 World Cup. “We must not forget what Antoine did at the last World Cup, where he was the best and the most consistent [France player].“

GFFN | Bastien Cheval