The tricolor striker participated in his first press conference on Thursday as the new captain of the France team. On the eve of the match against the Netherlands, he confided in his new role.
The Stade de France auditorium is much less full than expected, this Thursday, March 23. A few minutes from the start of the Blues press briefing, several journalists are surprised. However, it is indeed the very first press conference of Kylian Mbappé, as the new captain of the France team, which must take place.
On the eve of the Blues match against the Netherlands, the Paris Saint-Germain striker took part in this exercise which he rarely practices. In Qatar, during the World Cup, he had not once pointed the tip of his nose in the press room of the Jassim Bin-Hamad stadium. His only speech? After the round of 16 against Poland, to explain why he remained silent during the competition.
With great talent comes great responsibility. Didier Deschamps understood this and therefore entrusted the armband to Mbappé, who we should see more often at a press conference. Less adept at the elements of language that a Hugo Lloris spat out during twelve years of captaincy, Mbappé made Mbappé. Quick to respond, as skilful with his feet as with words, the Paris Saint-Germain striker confided in his new role with the Blues.
What do you think is a good captain and what captain do you want to be?
He is someone who is above all team-oriented, able to be a unifier, a unifier and to take others in his wake. There are fundamentals as a captain that you cannot move. Afterwards, the captain that I will be, it depends on the personality of each one. I think I will be turned towards others because I don’t have much experience in the captaincy. I don’t want to decide, to impose, I want to open up the possibility for others to express themselves. When we are all together, we can do great things. It would be a mistake to upset all that.
What makes you say that you can be a unifier?
I’m not going to transform myself but I think I have a word heard in the locker room. You have to take it wisely and know how to use it in the best way. The best way is to think about the collective, to be focused on the same objective, to be united.
Have you exchanged with Antoine Griezmann, who was disappointed not to be named captain?
I spoke with Antoine because he was disappointed and honestly, it’s understandable, I understand that. I told him that I might have had the same reaction. He was one of the most important players of the Deschamps era. I told him that I am not his superior. He has experience in the France team that I don’t have. He is respected and loved by the whole group. It would be a shame not to take advantage of his experience and his joie de vivre. We will work hand in hand to promote the France team. If he has something to say to the group, I sit down and listen.
What did it do to you, personally, when Didier Deschamps appointed you captain?
Putting aside all that is responsibility, player and all the stuff… Above all, it’s a kif. We cannot elude it. I was very happy when he [Didier Deschamps] announced it to me. When you let this emotion pass, it’s a new responsibility. It’s something that I will assume naturally, without putting any pressure on myself. It will change the way I behave because I will be even more focused on others.
“I don’t think the coach made me captain thinking that I was going to do the same thing as Hugo Lloris”
Kylian Mbappé, at a press conference.
Since your appointment as captain, this choice has caused a lot of talk, in particular because you are perceived as someone who is self-centered. Do you understand this perception?
I don’t understand but I accept, because today is the life of a high-level ultra-mediatized player. People judge without knowing me inside. I don’t have a problem with that. Players who have played with me know that my first obsession is to win and I don’t win alone. I accept but I don’t necessarily understand because these are people who haven’t worked with me. You have to let it flow and be sure of what you know how to do and do it well.
Your latest public positions on social networks have had a huge influence, a big impact. Captain, will you continue to take a stand?
Why do you want that to change? (smile) Everyone is a different captain depending on their personality. Hugo [Lloris] is not like me, I am not like him. I will be a different captain. I don’t think the coach made me captain thinking that I was going to do the same thing as Hugo (laughs).
We rarely see you at a press conference. Is this an exercise that you like?
It depends on the days. They will see me more often, that’s for sure. But I want to leave room for other players so I’m not going to monopolize all the media space. I don’t think I will come here [en conférence de presse] all the matches to come and talk to you because I know the importance and the resonance that it will have and I think that everyone must be able to express themselves.
How does it feel to be the leader of this new generation?
As a player, it’s a pleasure to play with quality players. Life is easier when you are in a good team. As a leader, it’s easy because they are people who understand quickly. I don’t need to repeat things 70 times, they are gifted people who play in big European clubs. It is above all a pleasure to be in this team and to be considered as a leader.
Did you have a thought before accepting the captain’s armband, did you think about it before receiving this responsibility?
The reflection is difficult to have because when the coach comes to see you and offers you the armband, even if you want to have a reflection, your mouth immediately says yes (laughs). The months before, I didn’t think about it at all. It’s really when the coach told me about it on Monday. Three months before, when I go to the World Cup in Qatar, I never tell myself that afterwards, my objective is to be captain.
Which Captain Deschamps asked you to be?
He wants me to be a unifier, to try to bring this team in my wake because I have some experience of the France team, to be the link between the old generation and the new. And to contribute to being a united group to reach the heights that are the titles.