Kylian Mbappe being captain ushers in new era for France

• Kylian Mbappe being captain ushers in a new era for France.
• Noel Le Graet was ousted from his position after a string of scandals.
• Tottenham goalkeeper became France’s most-capped player.

Three months after their agonizing defeat in the World Cup final in Doha, Kylian Mbappe is given the captain’s armband for France’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and several of their veteran players have retired.

The consequence of that misfortune on punishments to Argentina in Qatar has been violent, without a doubt.

Noel Le Graet, the veteran president of the French Football Federation, was ousted from his position after a string of scandals, but not before he agreed to a contract that would keep coach Didier Deschamps in his position until 2026.

Even though Zinedine Zidane is regarded as an ideal successor, the decision to extend the tenure of a coach who has been in charge since 2012 sparked disagreement in France.

Hugo Lloris, a goalkeeper who served as captain for more than a decade before retiring from international duty at the age of 36, is the biggest name to leave the field.

During the World Cup, the Tottenham goalkeeper became France’s most-capped player, leaving Deschamps in need of a new captain and goalkeeper.

Mike Maignan of AC Milan will replace Steve Mandanda, the long-term backup goalkeeper, when France play the Netherlands at the Stade de France on Friday in their first qualifying match.

That was always certain, but there was some uncertainty regarding who would take over as captain, with Antoine Griezmann being a candidate.

Nevertheless, Mbappe’s stupendous hat trick in the World Cup final demonstrated his leadership qualities to the point where it was impossible to ignore him. The forward for Paris Saint-Germain, who is 24 years old, has a good chance of leading the team for a decade.

“Kylian fulfilled every requirement for the additional responsibility. Deschamps stated this week, “But on the other hand, it is nothing against Antoine, who has always been an important player.”

At 36, France’s all-time leading scorer remains Olivier Giroud. However, Raphael Varane has retired, as has Karim Benzema of Real Madrid, who missed the World Cup due to injury on the tournament’s eve.

Deschamps acknowledged, “You can’t replace people who have been there for 10 years, you need time.” He said he understood Manchester United center back Varane’s decision to leave at the age of 29.

Deschamps, who gave up playing completely at 32, stated, “The demands of the highest level can lead to fatigue, whether that be physical or psychological.”

Deschamps enjoys the luxury of France’s seemingly endless talent conveyor belt.

Wesley Fofana, a Chelsea prospect who was 22 when Varane retired, was able to get his first call-up.

The coach then turned to ex-Barcelona center back Jean-Clair Todibo, who is now doing well at Nice, after he and Arsenal’s William Saliba both left with injuries.

Deschamps has deservedly called up Khephren Thuram to play in midfield, where World Cup winners Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are still struggling to get back to full fitness.

Nice has rewarded the 21-year-old son of France legend Lilian Thuram for his outstanding play.

The aggressive midfielder is the younger brother of Marcus, the forward for Borussia Moenchengladbach, who is also on the team.

Eduardo Camavinga, a Real Madrid midfielder, is likely to play a bigger role for his country, possibly at left back, as the 20-year-old did in the World Cup final.

The same is true for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, who nearly scored the decisive goal in the World Cup final’s final minute of extra time.

Given the talent at his disposal, it’s no wonder that Deschamps, now 54, wanted to stay for the next World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The top two teams in France’s group will advance to the European Championship in Germany the following year, with the rest of the group including Greece, Gibraltar, and the Republic of Ireland.

However, Deschamps is not taking anything for granted when his team plays Ireland on Monday in Dublin.

He insisted, “There is never any room for error at the top level, but here we are going to have to be at our best immediately.”

“Our goal of qualifying needs to be our primary focus, if not our obsession. We must not believe we are qualified already. We must return to the real world.”

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