. The ideal candidate for Deschamps

The star striker of Paris SG "ticks all the boxes to have this additional responsibility", justified Didier Deschamps in an interview with the regional press, ensuring Tuesday that his choice responded to an "internal logic".

"Legitimacy", the first condition set by the coach, no one disputes it in Mbappe, as well as "technical leadership, mental leadership and state of mind", the other criteria of the portrait-robot established by the captain of the 1998 world champions.

Sparkling at the 2022 World Cup with a recital in the final (three goals, a successful penalty shootout) against Argentina, the N.10 of Les Bleus has also strengthened his influence and legitimacy off the field.

His main feat: a spectacular showdown over the management of the right to the collective image with the former president of the French Football Federation Noël Le Graët, whom he also allowed himself to publicly rebuff after his slippage on Zinedine Zidane.

Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps on an aside with star Kylian Mbappé in Doha, December 16, 2022 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP/Archives

"He is a captain in representation, in standing. It's very rewarding for a team to highlight this player," as Argentina did with Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, Alain Giresse, the 1984 European champion, told AFP.

. What responsibilities in this new role?

A skilled communicator, Mbappé doses his media outings sparingly, anxious to create a precious rarity befitting his status as an international star.

With the armband on his arm, he may now have to expose himself more in front of journalists, especially during pre-match conferences, traditionally devolved to the captain or vice-captain.

But "there is no obligation," Deschamps tempered in advance Monday. It is not because Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane carried out this task "until now that I will have to (send the captain in front of the press) systematically".

Kylian Mbappé surrounded by his teammates of the Blues, after his double against Denmark in Doha, November 26, 2022 © Antonin THUILLIER / AFP / Archives

Deschamps nevertheless takes a risk with Mbappé, a "cash" personality, much less smooth than his predecessor, able by his outspokenness to make waves, including internally.

. The risk of an all-powerful Mbappé

Asked by AFP, Michel Platini welcomed "a very good idea from Didier Deschamps. By giving him the responsibility of the captaincy, he allows Kylian - if need be - to go even further, higher, stronger."

The captain of the 1984 European champions sees this with a positive eye, but beware of internal disturbances... The balance of a dressing room full of great players is always fragile and precarious. Giving more weight to a leader who already captures all the light is not without risk.

The star striker of the France team Kylian Mbappé upon his arrival in Clairefontaine, March 20, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

"Mbappe, the keys (of the team) he has had for some time and he demonstrates it on the field," said Robert Pirès, not convinced by the choice of the coach. The former "Frenchy" of Arsenal would rather have entrusted the armband to Antoine Griezmann (32), the real "strong man" of the Deschamps system. "It would have been wiser to put Antoine now and Kylian in two years for the World Cup" in 2026, he thinks.

"Kylian will have to know how to connect the important players between them, that he finds relays in this new squad," admits Giresse.

. For Griezmann, a disappointment?

The announcement of the captaincy awarded to Mbappé had barely leaked, Monday night, that the disappointment of the Griezmann camp reached the ears of the editors. The Atlético playmaker would even, according to some press reports, question his future in selection.

"We would have to know already if he was interested. I don't feel like he wanted deep down," Giresse said.

"It does not go against Antoine who has always been an important player" and "could be captain" too, calmed Deschamps in the regional press.

Les Bleus striker Antoine Griezmann upon his arrival at the Clairefontaine national football centre, on March 20, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

But his choice to privilege the youth and aura of Mbappe, rather than the consistency, loyalty and experience of Griezmann (117 caps, 42 goals), can generate bitterness in the latter, appointed vice-captain.

"That he is disappointed, I understand, he expected it to be him," says Pirès, even evoking "a lack of respect" vis-à-vis the 2018 world champion "given the longevity, past years" and his influence in the French game.

© 2023 AFP