Paris –
Antoine Griezmann reportedly angry and injured because of the captain’s armband French national team given to Kylian Mbappe. Coach Didier Deschamps respond to the rumours.
Deschamps has just announced that Mbappe has been named the new France captain. The Paris Saint-Germain star was lined up as the new leader of the Rooster squad to replace Hugo Lloris, while Griezmann became vice-captain.
However, Griezmann felt uncomfortable with that decision. Initially, the 32-year-old Atletico Madrid striker was predicted as a strong candidate for the new French captain because he has great influence and has one of the highest flying hours (117).
However, Deschamps instead gave him the captain’s armband Mbappe who is still relatively young (24 years), even though he already has 66 caps with Les Bleus. I was so disappointed that Griezmann was even said to be considering just retiring from international football.
Deschamps admitted that he had discussed his decision regarding the French captain’s armband with Antoine Griezmann. Deschamps only emphasized that Griezmann still has a big role in the squad.
“He knows very well that he has the possibility to be that [kapten]. I’ve spoken to him, but despite all that, giving Kylian the captain’s armband doesn’t mean taking it away from Antoine,” said the 54-year-old coach in the Mirror.
“Antoine also has something extra, he has always been a very important player. I always believed in him in periods that were much more difficult for him.”
“Antoine, with what he has done on the pitch, he is a pillar in terms of being the team’s motorbike. He was and he will continue to be like that in the future,” added Deschamps.
Watch Video “Lloris retires, Mbappe becomes captain of the French national team“
(rin/adp)
