Mbappe: 'I'm not Griezmann's superior'
* France - Netherlands: 2:45 am on March 25, Hanoi time.
"I spoke to Griezmann because he was disappointed not to be given the captain's armband," Mbappe said at a press conference ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands on March 24. "Frankly, I understand why he reacted like that. I told him I would react the same way if I was in that situation."
Striker Antoine Griezmann is said to be considering retiring from the national team, after coach Didier Deschamps chose striker Kylian Mbappe as captain to replace goalkeeper Hugo Lloris - who retired from France after the 2022 World Cup. Griezmann has played 117 matches for France since Since 2014, he has scored 42 goals and has worn the captain's armband once.
"He is probably the most important player in the Deschamps era," Mbappe commented of Griezmann. "I am not his boss. Griezmann and I will work together to bring this team to the highest level. If he has something to say to the whole team, I will sit down and listen. I I don't want to impose anything on anyone." Mbappe also admitted that Griezmann is superior to him in experience, and is also loved by the whole team.
Mbappe played 66 matches for France and scored 36 goals, including a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final. According to the 24-year-old striker, the role of captain this time will be different from Hugo Lloris. "I don't think the coach gave me the captain's armband because he thought I looked like Hugo," Mbappe added. "Each person has a personality, and I am not like him. The coach wants me to be the unifying person, the link between generations in the team."
Mbappe also shared that being the captain of the national team is a new responsibility in his career. "I'll take it on naturally," he said. "It doesn't change the way I play, but it can change the way I behave."
Mbappe's first match as France captain is the welcome to the Netherlands in the opening match of Group B of Euro 2024 qualifying today. Three days later, Mbappe and his teammates will come as guests on the Republic of Ireland field.
