Michel Platini applauds, Alain Giresse approves and Robert Pirès wonders

The reactions are almost unanimous. Appointing Kylian Mbappé as captain is “a very good idea”, reacted Michel Platini, a choice “very rewarding” for the French team according to Alain Giresse, but not logical for Robert Pires, “surprised” that Antoine Griezmann was not chosen. The three former glories of the France team, requested by theAFPexpressed their point of view on Tuesday March 21, the day after the decision taken by coach Didier Deschamps to entrust the armband to Mbappé and the vice-captainate to the player of Atlético de Madrid.

“It’s a very good idea from Didier Deschamps. By giving him the responsibility of the captaincy, he allows Kylian – if necessary – to go even further, higher, stronger”, commented Michel Platini, captain of the 1984 European champions, in a statement sent to AFP. Less ecstatic, Alain Giresse was nevertheless favorable to this choice, which Deschamps did not want to comment on Tuesday. “From the moment we draw the profile of a captain, we certainly demand maturity, but it must be put into perspective in relation to what Mbappé represents. He is a captain in representation, in standing” , affirmed the former partner of Platini at the Blues.

“In tune with others”

“It’s very rewarding for a team to highlight this player,” continues Giresse by drawing a parallel with the Argentina of Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi. “It’s emblematic to give them the armband because they are the standard bearers”. For the former captain of Bordeaux, the superstar status, the outspokenness and the sometimes more divisive personality of Mbappé, compared to his predecessor in the function Hugo Lloris, do not represent any risk for the balance of the selection.

“Why a risk? He’s a personality of now, with the way of seeing players of now, ambition, determination. He has this way of approaching matches in a way that is perhaps more detached, but with the same conviction. He will be in phase with the other players”, assures Alain Giresse. “Like all scorers, he will have this form of performance complaint”, but Mbappé will be able to get the rest of the team behind him, he believes. “He will have to be able to have a little attention with the others outside the field, like any captain”, he simply summarizes.

The media obligations linked to the function of captain should not crush the 24-year-old striker, according to him. “Certainly, today, when Kylian sneezes it says everything and anything, but he knows how to stay in his bubble. The France team is not like the club, it’s eight or nine days in this context”, he wants to qualify.

A “lack of respect” for Griezmann

Asked about the possible disappointment of Antoine Griezmann, announced as a competitor for the armband, Alain Giresse delayed. “We should already know if he was interested. I don’t have the impression that he wanted deep inside him.” His influence on the ground could amply satisfy him, he still argues. “He is good in this role of important player, in his specificity. He is the one who brings binder to the game.”

This is not the opinion of Robert Pirès, 1998 world champion and 2000 European champion. Kylian Mbappé, a logical choice? “Honestly, no. Considering the longevity, the years gone by, I was expecting it to be Griezmann who was nominated.” “I am surprised”, as much as “He’s Didier’s strongman [Deschamps]the one who counts the most, who has the most tenures in a row”. “It’s a lack of respect for Antoine I find even if, I insist, I have nothing against Kylian”, develops the former Arsenal player.

Admittedly, on the ground, the genius of Bondy “has the keys for a while”, but “we must not forget what Antoine did at the last World Cup, where he was the best and the most consistent”, supports Pires. would have found him “more sensible” to give the armband to Griezmann “now and to Kylian in two years” for the 2026 World Cup.