After the retirement of Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane, who will be the next captain of the Blues? Didier Deschamps gave some clues on the sidelines of the announcement of the Blues who will face the Netherlands and Ireland on March 24 and 27.
Mbappé, Griezmann or another? Didier Deschamps was asked about the position of captain of the France team this Thursday, March 16, on the sidelines of the announcement of his list of 23 selected for the Euro 2024 qualifiers. As usual, the coach of the Bleus has delivered the minimum of clues to the identity of the successor ofHugo Lloriswho decided to hang up after 121 games on the clock, a record.
“There are some that I consider possible. Obviously, Kylian is one of them. It will go through discussions with them, before I make my decision. There is a responsibility in relation to being captain”, shyly advanced Didier Deschamps when the Mbappé option was mentioned. Also asked about the possibility of offering the armband to Adrien Rabiot, Deschamps recognized a “certain experience”, but quickly dismissed this possibility: “We know each other well. He has a form of leadership, but from there to what he can… I don’t know if he really wants it by nature too. Let him stay as he is.”
Only one thing seems certain about the future captain of the Blues: Didier Deschamps intends to make a long-term choice, preferring “to have a stable captain and vice-captain”, a “well-defined choice” rather than rotating the armband according to the matches. and the circumstances.
Two natural leaders pushed aside
World champion in 2018, vice-world champion in 2022, Hugo Lloris has decided to hang up with the Blues and let the new generation take over, leaving his captain’s armband that he has worn since 2011. If Raphael Varane, vice captain , could legitimately take over from him, the Manchester United defender also announced his international retirement after the 2022 World Cup. The place of captain of the Blues therefore remains to be taken.
During his interview with at Figaro on March 11, the current coach had already explained that several players could claim captaincy as Kylian Mbappe, vice captain of PSG and Antoine Griezmann, but that the consultation will be done with them. “I know who can be and can’t be (he smiles). I would have discussions with some of them. I’m ahead of you because you’re going to ask me the question: is Kylian (Mbappé ) can be Yes of course. Antoine Griezmann can also be in relation to his experience. The decision will be made during the March internship. I want to hear the feelings of the players concerned.”
Hugo Lloris’ opinion on the future captain of the Blues
Hugo Lloris also gave his opinion a few weeks ago in the columns of L’Equipe and believes that Kylian Mbappé is a real contender for this armband. “He showed strong leadership during this world Cup and even more during the final. There is a kind of handover between players who are in the last phase of their career and a new generation at the head of which Kylian is at the head.
In a poll published by L’Equipe in January 2023 after the World Cup, 36% of respondents wanted to see Kylian Mbappé as the next captain, ahead of Antoine Griezmann 30%, Raphael Varane 28% while 6% hope to see another player wear the armband. If Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann are considered the big favorites, let’s not forget a Olivier Giroud who wants to play until Euro 2024 and who became the Blues’ top scorer during the 2022 World Cup.
The list of captains of the France team
- 1904-1905: Fernand Canelle
- 1905-1908: Pierre Alemane
- 1910-1914: Jean Ducret
- 1920-1922: Lucien Gamblin
- 1922-1925: Raymond Dubly
- 1925-1930: Paul Nicolas
- 1930: Alexander Villaplane
- 1930-1931: Henri Pavillard
- 1931-1933: Alex Thepot
- 1933-1938: Edmond Delfour
- 1938-1940: Etienne Mattler
- 1944-1946: Alfred Aston
- 1946-1948: Oscar Heisserer
- 1949-1952: Jean Baratte
- 1952-1959: Roger Marche
- 1960-1961: Jean-Jacques Marcel
- 1961-1963: André Lerond
- 1965-1966: Marcel Artelesa
- 1967-1969: Bernard Bosquier
- 1969-1973: Jean Djorkaeff
- 1972-1973: Claude Quittet
- 1973-1975: George Bereta
- 1975-1976: Henri Michel
- 1976-1979: Marius Treasure
- 1979-1987: Michel Platini
- 1987-1988: Luis Fernández
- 1988 – 1992: Manuel Amoros
- 1992-1993: Jean-Pierre Papin
- 1993-1995: Eric Cantona
- 1995-1996: Rotation of players (Paul Le Guen, Didier Deschamps, Alain Roche, Bernard Lama, Marcel Desailly, Eric Di Meco, Vincent Guérin)
- 1996-2000: Didier Deschamps
- 2000-2004: Marcel Desailly
- 2004-2004: Patrick Vieira
- 2005-2006: Zinedine Zidane
- 2006-2008: Patrick Vieira
- 2008-2010: Thierry Henry
- 2010: Patrice Evra
- 2010-2011: Alou Diarra
- 2011-2022: Hugo Lloris